6 Surprising Foods That Taste Better Without Refrigeration
Food storage is imperative in ensuring good health as well as in preventing food-related illnesses. Having said this, many people tend to store all types of foods in their fridges, forgetting that the chilling temperatures and conditions in there can negatively affect not only the nutrition, but also the taste of your favourite foods. For instance, cold air can break down antioxidants, and in the process, inhibit the ripening process of some fruits.
Knowing which foods you should store in the refrigerator and those you should not is key in eating healthy and tasty foods. Here are the top six foods that taste better when not refrigerated.
• Avocados
• Bananas
• Onions and garlic
• Tomatoes
• Bread
• Potatoes
These items are discussed further for a deeper insight.
Avocados
Avocados are a favourite for many people due to their creamy and distinctive taste. However, not everybody knows that the best way to maintain the creaminess and the flavor is by storing them at room temperatures. If refrigerated for long, they tend to lose their authentic taste and are therefore less enjoyable.
The Food Network reaffirms this by adding that you should only refrigerate avocados if they are ripe and cannot use them right away. Then, putting them in the fridge can add a couple of days to their shelf life.
Bananas
The cold temperatures of the fridge affect the taste of bananas as well as how they ripen. Usually, a prolonged period inside a fridge makes their skin brown even before they are fully ripe. The fact that they do not ripen naturally can make them lose their taste, not to mention they can be rendered unfit for consumption.
To enjoy your bananas, store them at room temperatures all the time. This way, they will ripen naturally while maintaining their original taste.
Onions and Garlic
Keeping onions and garlic in the fridge destroys their texture and taste, as well. This is because cold air saps their moisture, leading to the effects mentioned above. For better taste, store them in a dry and cool place, such as in the pantry, where they are unlikely to get mouldy.
For jarred alternatives like minced garlic and cocktail onions, it is advisable to store them as indicated on the container. Nonetheless, the bottom-line remains that the best way to keep the taste of your onions and garlic is to store them in a cool and ventilated place.
Tomatoes
Keeping your tomatoes in the fridge makes them mushy and soft, which makes them lose their appealing taste. Moreover, just like avocados, refrigerating them makes it hard to determine when they are fully ripe. Accordingly, you can end up ingesting unripe tomatoes, and thus compromise your health. The best way to preserve the taste of your tomatoes is by storing them at room temperatures and out of direct sunlight.
Bread
Most people are tempted to store bread in the refrigerator to keep away mould. The truth is, keeping your bread in the fridge ends up making it hard and dry. In the end, you will find yourself using more butter than you typically do. Retaining the texture and taste of your bread requires you to store it at room temperatures. Your pantry is an ideal place to store it.
Potatoes
Cold temperatures tend to turn starch into sugar at a higher rate than warmer climates. When you store potatoes in the fridge, this process takes place sooner, and consequently, it alters their taste. Whether they are mashed or roasted, avoid storing them in the refrigerator to maintain their appeal.
Always opt to store potatoes in a cool and dry place. This helps to make them last longer. What is more, they won't turn hard before cooking.
Enjoying a meal is always the primary purpose of eating it. Therefore, ensuring that your foods keep their authentic tastes through proper storage is a prerequisite to enjoying them.
At QualityFood.ae, we strive to provide only fresh foods and products for you and your family. You can reach us through our social media sites as well as our mobile app. We look forward to serving you!