11 Things

     Recently the website Epicurious listed 11 things that should not be refrigerated.  So while the refrigerator is seen as a safe haven for food, that's not always the case.  Many food items don't need to be refrigerated at all and could just be taking up space on the shelves.  And some ingredients are actually worse off in the fridge.  Here they are:

1. Tomatoes
     The refrigerator can transform a ruby red, juicy tomato into a mealy, flavorless mess.  They belong on the kitchen counter.  If you slice one and have some leftover, it can be wrapped in plastic and left on the counter if you're planning to use it that same day.  Otherwise, fell free to put the leftover tomato in the fridge, but use as quickly as possible.

2. Onions
      Moisture from the fridge can actually make whole onions moldy and mushy.  Store them in a cool, dark, well ventilated place like your pantry instead.  Once cut, it's OK to keep the remainder in the fridge.  Just wrap it well in plastic or in an airtight bag and keep it in the crisper drawer.

3. Garlic
     Cloves can start to sprout if kept in the refrigerator.  They can also become rubbery and moldy.  Instead store garlic in a cool, dark place that is well ventilated.

4. Bread
       It may seem counter intuitive, but bread actually dries out faster when stored in the fridge.  If you're planning to use it within a day or two, it's OK to keep it on the counter.  Otherwise, wrap it well and toss it in the freezer, where it will keep for a few months.

5. Potatoes
     Cold temperature causes the starch in potatoes to rapidly transform into sugar, which results in gritty, off-flavored tubers.  Instead, keep them in a paper bag (which helps with air circulation) in a cool, dark place.

6. Honey
     If kept in the refrigerator honey can begin to crystallize and turn into a thick mess that's nearly impossible to drizzle on your yogurt.  It will be much better off tucked away in your cupboard.

7. Basil
     Basil leaves wilt, losing their aroma and flavor when kept in the fridge.  The smarter way to store your herb bunch is to treat it like cut flowers: just keep it in a glass of fresh water on your counter.

8. Unripe Fruit
     Fruit isn't going to ripen in the cold confines of the fridge, so just leave it out at room temperature so it can fully ripen.   Then eat immediately, or keep it in the fridge for a day or two so it doesn't get overripe and moldy.

9. Hot Sauce
     Even after it's been opened, there's no need to store hot sauce in the fridge.  It's spices and preservatives make it perfectly safe to leave in your pantry.

10. Oil
     Regardless of the type of oil, keeping it in the refrigerator will cause it to solidify into a butter-like consistency.  Choose a cool, dark place for your oils instead.

11.  Coffee
     Take the beans out of the fridge if you want to keep them fresh.  If refrigerated, they can not only lose flavor but will actually absorb odors from other foods.  Go for a small bag that you can stash in your pantry and use within a couple of weeks.