13 Foods You Should Never Refrigerate: Best Stored at Room Temperature
1. Coffee
Coffee should always be in an airtight container to stay fresh and high quality. In a dry and cool area, coffee retains its freshness. Refrigerating coffee will do nothing but ruin it. Yes, even coffee-pros they say that users should beware that the coffee need to be stored on at room temperature faraway from heat, moisture, and light. For coffee beans, if you have them, do not, I repeat, do not keep them in the refrigerator.
2. Peanut Butter
One of the common errors that all people do is storing peanut butter in the fridge. Peanut butter, however, tends to get dry on the refrigerator shelf (unlike jam or jelly). Creamy, spreadable peanut butter — if you have it, keep it in a dark, dry place.
3. Honey
Honey has an infinite shelf life (indeed, it is the only food that will never spoil), but storing it in the fridge will make it crystallized. But since it will not crystallize, it is better to store it in a cool dry place. It can live indefinitely at room temperature in good condition.
4. Olive Oil
For high phenolic olive oil make sure it is stored in a dark place, cool place in a tightly sealed container. Do not keep it in the refrigerator that is why use it in few month period of 5–6 months because scientist indicates that olive oil will start loosing its anti-oxidation property if it stay on shelf more than few months.
5. Vinegar
Little do they know, however, that vinegar is self-preserving. This means that you can technically keep it forever. However, vinaigrettes that have some onion, garlic, herbs, or shallots should be refrigerated.
6. Mustard
Similar to ketchup, the mustard in it also contains preservatives to prevent spoilage for a while. It can also be placed in a cupboard and have a shelf life of 28 days. If you like your mustard cold when you eat it, then feel free to refrigerate.
7. Donuts
When you keep donuts in the refrigerator, they tend to get stale or soggy real quick. Store them covered at room temperature, preferably. Never refrigerate this delicious food, we tell you.
8. Chocolate
Many of us have the habit of keeping our favourite chocolate in the fridge to avoid it turning drip. On the other hand, too much exposure to excessive cold can change chocolate flavor. When chocolate comes out of the fridge, it is placed in warmer air which creates this process called “sugar bloom”. It creates a dusty layer state that alters the flavour of the chocolate.
9. Pumpkins
The majority of people save their smaller and medium-size pumpkins by putting them in the fridge. The fridge has a chillier atmosphere, but that cold can easily crush the pumpkin. So the fastest way to get rid of taste consistency – if you want to enjoy a pumpkin – is to keep it on the other side where warm and dry.
10. Watermelon
Watermelon is delicious only if its a little cold. Which is why you need to put it in the fridge hours before you eat it. Still, although its not recommended to keep it in fridge if not cut. Although watermelon is known to lose nutrients at low-temperature conditions, there had not been a detailed examination of the effects of temperature on watermelon postharvest quality. When it has been cut you will need to make sure it is covered before you use it again and putting it in the fridge.
11. Spices
That will stay for years and you can store ground spices at room temperature. Any fridge will not just lower their nutritious value but their flavor as well. Give a sniff test to any spices you may have stowed away at room temperature for more than a year or so and that have faded in aroma. If they have little to no scent, that is a good sign not to use them, as they are no longer effective. However, there is one rule that advises never keeping spices in the fridge.
12. Beef Jerky
Since beef jerky is derived from beef, they will remove as much moisture as possible. Which is the reason why commercial beef jerky can almost last for one year and in good condition. Once you open the beef jerky package, it lasts approximately 1 week at room temperature.
13. Flour
Flour will not spoil when put in the fridge but there is no need to refrigerate it. You just need to keep it sealed and it will be excellent for quite a bit. Storing it in the fridge also does take most of the space. Therefore, keep it as a room temperature and free some space in your fridge.
