The latest guidelines produced from the government say
“Storing food safely - potatoes
Uncooked potatoes are best kept somewhere cool and dry, but don't keep
them in the fridge. Putting potatoes in the fridge can increase the amount of
sugar they contain, and lead to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide
when the potatoes are baked, fried or roasted at high temperatures.
What is acrylamide?
Acrylamide is a chemical found in starchy foods that have been cooked
at high temperatures. These include crisps, chips, bread and crispbreads. It
was first discovered by scientists in Sweden in 2002.
Acrylamide causes cancer in animals and so might also harm people's
health.”
So what else should we never keep in the fridge
1. Bread
Bread dries
out and goes stale much more quickly in the fridge, which isn't what you want
when you bite into your lunchtime sandwich. Try storing it in a cool, dry
place. A bread bin or bread bags would be a good start.
2. Melons
There's nothing
like biting into cold melon to cool you down on a hot summer's day, but it is
recommended you store yours elsewhere - but only before you cut it. Once you've
cut into the melon, wrap it in cling film and put it in the fridge.
3. Bananas
Just bought
a bunch of bananas? You might be tempted to stick them straight in the fridge -
but wait a few days. Bananas hail from tropical climates and their cells have
no natural defence against the cold, If they're green and you refrigerate them
straight away, they won't ripen at all. Instead, they'll turn mushy and black
as their enzymes break down nutrients.
4. Tomatoes
Whether you
like a cherry, plum or salad tomato, you probably put them in the fridge to
keep them nice and cold. Surely a cool, crisp tomato in a salad is the best way
to go?
Apparently
not, refrigerating tomatoes actually damages the membrane inside the fruit,
altering the taste and texture. The tomato will lose flavour and will probably
taste a bit watery and unripe. Leave it on the counter and it will develop more
flavour over a few days.
5. Cake
Cake is good
to keep in an airtight container for a few days.
If it's got
fresh cream in it, obviously you do need to put it in the fridge.
Otherwise,
pop it in a cake tin. It'll taste better if it's not cold.
6. Coffee
If you're in
the habit of throwing your coffee jar into the fridge (although we're not sure
why you would), then stop immediately. Coffee beans and grounds take in the
smells from their surroundings, and you don't want coffee that tastes like
stilton. Keep it in an airtight container outside of the fridge.
7. Honey
Honey
doesn't go off, so why keep it in the fridge?
At low
temperatures it also begins to crystallise, meaning instead of lovely, runny
honey you'll have a grainy lump of sugary gloop. Leave it out!
8. Onions
Apparently
onions do best in dry, well-ventilated areas.
What's more,
if they're in the fridge they could taint the taste of your other groceries.
Remember to
keep them in a dark place or they'll start sprouting.
9. Garlic
The same
goes for garlic. It's fine to keep it in a dry, ventilated area if you're
pushed for space in the fridge.
10. Avocado
There's
nothing more annoying than an unripe avocado.
Well,
keeping it in the fridge isn't going to help. Apparently the cool temperature
hinders the ripening process. Keep them in 'brown open bags' to ripen. Put them
next to bananas (also out of the fridge, remember!) if you want them to be
ready to eat faster.
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