10 Food Items You Should Keep Away from the Refrigerator, From Garlic to Honey!

Kapanlagi.com - Almost every household surely has a refrigerator. One of the most practical ways to extend the shelf life of food is by storing it in the refrigerator. However, did you know that not all types of food are suitable for storage in this cold place? According to Tina Martinez, a food expert, cold temperatures in the refrigerator can affect the quality and nutrition of food ingredients.

"Your fridge is not the solution for storing all types of food," Tina emphasized in her interview with Good Housekeeping on March 28, 2025. "Improper storage can ruin the taste of the foods you love."

Now, here are 10 types of food items that you should not store in the refrigerator:

1. Onion

Red onions and garlic are important ingredients in many Indonesian dishes. While it's common to keep a stock of onions at home, storing them in the fridge can cause their distinctive flavor to disappear.

Garlic, for example, can change texture to become rubbery. The best place to store onions is in a dry, cool container, and in a dark place. However, if the red or white onions have been peeled or cut, then store them in the fridge.

2. Melon

Melons and watermelons are indeed best served cold, but never store unripe melons in the fridge!

Let these fruits ripen at room temperature so that their flavor becomes sweeter over time. However, if they have been cut, immediately put them in the fridge to keep them fresh for longer.

3. Avocado

The ripeness of an avocado is very important before serving. If you buy an unripe avocado, never store it in the fridge as it will halt the ripening process.

However, if your avocado is already overripe and hasn't been processed yet, quickly place it in the fridge to keep it fresh.

By knowing the proper storage methods, you can maintain the quality and flavor of your food for a longer time. So, make sure to pay attention to the type of food before deciding to store it in the fridge!

4. Honey

Never make the mistake of storing honey in the fridge!

This mistake can cause your beloved honey to crystallize and become unenjoyable. Instead, store honey in a cool, dark place to keep it delicious.

5. Tomato

Tomatoes and potatoes are also not exempt from a similar fate; both will lose their fresh taste and appealing texture if trapped in the cold of the fridge.

To maintain their quality, store tomatoes and potatoes in a dark, cool place in your kitchen.

6. Chocolate

Similarly, chocolate can absorb moisture and unpleasant odors when placed in the refrigerator, thus affecting its taste.

7. Vinegar

Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, is also better stored in a cool, dark place, away from the refrigerator, thanks to its high acid content that prevents contamination.

8. Soy Sauce

Similarly, soy sauce, whether thick sweet or thin salty, should not be stored in the fridge because it can change its texture and taste.

9. Bread

And for bread, don't be tempted to store it in the fridge for extended shelf life, as it actually makes it dry out quickly! It's best to enjoy fresh bread after purchase or store it in the freezer if necessary.

10. Storing Skincare in the Fridge

Not only food, but now many people store beauty care products in the fridge! This is believed to provide a soothing sensation to the skin when used. However, how important is it to store skincare in the fridge?

Dyah Utami, Head of Research & Development at Wardah, explains that high temperatures and light exposure can accelerate product degradation, so storing them in the fridge is a smart step to maintain the stability of the formulation.

In tropical countries like Indonesia, the hot room temperature is the main reason people choose to cool their skincare products.

However, Uta reminds us not to store skincare in the freezer as it can damage the formulation system. "Just store it in the fridge, that's safe," she said.

With the note that products that have undergone this research process can still be used according to their shelf life, as long as the packaging remains intact and not exposed to direct sunlight.

(kpl/rao)