The refrigerator was a revolutionary invention that forever changed everyday life. And although we have handled it daily for more than a century, its use still generates doubts and debates, such as the question of which fruits should be kept inside or left outside. But there are other foods that we do not usually refrigerate and that, however, they will keep much better If we keep them in the refrigerator.
Unless we have an inefficient device, with an environment that is too dry or a temperature bordering on freezing, in principle, no food is going to spoil by keeping it in the fridge. A exception they are climacteric vegetables such as tomatoes or avocados, in which the cold can stop their natural ripening process before reaching the optimal tasting point.
What the refrigerator does slow deterioration and make it more difficult for bacteria and microorganisms to spoil the food, also protecting it from changes in temperature, sunlight, humidity or insects. but has a limited space that it is not advisable to overload, that is why we do not store all the food in it; In addition, the cold affects the flavor and often forces us to take the products out in advance to temper them.
The foods that we list below theoretically do not need refrigeration to be preserved without many problems, but they will be grateful if we make room for them in the appliance. By themselves they are not going to spoil, assuming a health risk if we do not keep them cold, but will better maintain their organoleptic properties and for longer when stored in the refrigerator.
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Coffee
We will not tire of repeating it: coffee is a product extremely delicate and sensitive that we often treat very badly. It begins to lose properties as soon as it is roasted, and this degradation accelerates rapidly after grinding. Whether it is coffee beans or ground coffee, heat, oxygen, humidity, strong odors and sudden changes in temperature affect its flavor and aroma.
Now, the fridge can spoil it even more if we don’t store it well. The refrigerator is a good option if we have a lot of accumulated quantity, in very humid environments or in very hot summer. So that it is not affected by the odors of the food in the fridge, it must be packaged preferably vacuum packed in completely clean containers and airtight, in the least cold area and away from foods that generate ethylene or strong aromas.
Colombian coffee beans Consuelo, 1 kg
Nuts
With the exception of nuts with their hardest and raw shell, such as almonds or hazelnuts, they are also very sensitive ingredients that they tarnish very easily due to its high amount of fat. Just like coffee, the more treated, the more delicate they are and the less time they will be kept without losing flavor, aroma and texture.
try to buy raw nuts to roast, fry or grind them at home, whenever possible, and store them in the fridge if you won’t be using them for a few days, or if it’s very hot. They are also frequent victims of insects and other visitors that are more abundant in summer.
flours
It depends a bit on the type of specific cereal, if they are more or less refined or on the quality and their specific origin, but in general the flours also lose flavor and properties over time.
You may not notice it as much in a store-brand white-label all-purpose or baking flour, but by purchasing more specific flours from selected grains and more artisanal grinds, it is convenient to take good care of them.
In any case, in summer and very humid climates it is always advisable to keep them in the fridge, protected from odors, even more so if we go on vacation for several days. And it will prevent us from meeting tiny visitors inside when you return.
Vegetable creams and butters
We refer to the peanut butter or butter and all of its similar nut or seed cousins, such as sesame tahini. If it is homemade, refrigeration is even more recommended, since we will not have applied any special conservation or protection technique.
The large amount of natural oils they have make them very sensitive to oxygen, heat and humidity, and they also absorb odours. It will rarely go bad so it’s inedible even if you keep it at room temperature, but even if it’s safe, it can go rancid. Here we explain how to refrigerate the jars to recover their homogeneous texture.
Cereals and grains
Oats, wheat, rice, polenta, quinoa, rye, spelt, buckwheat, barley, couscous… Grains, whole, peeled or broken, are somewhat less sensitive than flour but will also suffer from excessive heat, moisture and, especially , insects like ants or weevils. They will be cooler and protected in a not too cold area of the refrigerator.
Potato chips and other snacks
When typical salty snacks such as chips, crackers, crackers, pretzels, chips, nachos and others lose their crunchy texture, they are worth nothing and there is no point in indulging in eating them.
Once the bag or container is opened, if it is not going to be used up soon, it is convenient to store it in the fridge, well closed, or better in an airtight or vacuum-sealed container. It is in summer when they go rancid more quickly, becoming mushy and tasteless, although it can happen at any time. if there is a lot of humidity.
Corn and wheat tortillas
The typical tortillas of Mexican cuisine with a soft texture to make tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos and others, suffer the opposite effect of the previous one once they are opened: they dry out when exposed to air.
When we do not spend a package in one sitting or in a couple of days, it is best to close it hermetically or transfer them to another container and keep them in the least cold part of the refrigerator. This way they will stay fresh and flexible for longer, although you have to be careful with refrigerators that dry out the environment too much.
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spices
We already know that cut aromatic herbs can be kept in good condition in the fridge, but we can also consider the same with spices.
Those that are dry and whole, such as peppercorns, cumin or nutmeg, will hold up better outside as long as we keep them in a dark, cool, dry place and in airtight containers, but ground or fresher ones will lose aroma faster especially in hot and humid environments. fresh spices like quality vanilla or curry leaves They can dry out if not well preserved.
It is advisable to buy real quality spices in specialized stores, with a very recent production date, and in precise quantities so as not to accumulate indefinitely. The best are not cheapso do not hesitate to store them in the refrigerator if you do not plan to use them in one sitting.
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Pictures | Unsplash – iStock
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