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Summer is here, and if we don't refrigerate our food right away, it might spoil. But is it true that putting everything in the fridge solves the problem?
- Should freshly bought watermelons be immediately refrigerated?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Keeping them at room temperature retains higher levels of antioxidants.
According to a study by the USDA, watermelons stored at room temperature have higher nutrient and antioxidant levels. The research found that when watermelons are stored at room temperature after being harvested, their lycopene content increases by 40%, and beta-carotene levels nearly double.
Therefore, after buying a watermelon, it should be stored at room temperature first. Only after it's cut open should it be refrigerated.
The study also found that other melons don't show a significant difference in nutrient levels whether kept at room temperature or in the refrigerator. However, their optimal storage temperature is a cool 12°C, and they can last about 3 weeks. If refrigerated, they last about a week.
- Should pears be refrigerated right after purchase?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Wait until they are fully ripe before refrigerating.
Research from the University of Innsbruck in Austria indicates that the concentration of certain antioxidants in pears increases when they are fully ripe. So, if you buy hard pears, let them ripen at room temperature first.
To speed up ripening, you can store them with bananas or apples, which release ethylene gas.
- Should vegetables be placed flat in the vegetable drawer for refrigeration?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Stand them upright to prevent the leaves from turning yellow.
According to Tan Dun-Tsyr, a clinical toxicologist at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, laying vegetables flat can cause them to bruise and spoil faster. It's best to wrap them in white paper or kitchen paper towels, leaving the ends open, and place them in a plastic bag standing upright. This way, moisture concentrates at the bottom and gradually moves up, keeping the leaves from drying out.
Food expert Yang Hsien-Ying adds that the moisture-absorbing properties of white paper and kitchen paper towels help keep leafy vegetables fresh, while the plastic bag prevents moisture loss in the refrigerator.
- Should bananas be stored at room temperature?
○Yes ＸNo
Yes! But once they ripen, they should be refrigerated.
Refrigerating bananas slows down their ripening process, so if they are not fully yellow, let them ripen at room temperature first.
Once they are ripe, they should be refrigerated to prevent attracting fruit flies, even though the peel will turn black, the fruit inside remains sweet.
- Should potatoes be stored at room temperature?
○Yes ＸNo
Yes! Low temperatures break down the starch, resulting in a grainy texture when cooked.
It's best to store potatoes in paper bags without washing them first, in a dark, cool place. Paper bags help block light and oxygen, protecting the vitamins in the produce.
To prevent sprouting, Yang Hsien-Ying suggests storing potatoes with apples, which extends their shelf life by about 7 days.
Other root vegetables like pumpkins and sweet potatoes are also better stored in a dry, dark place rather than the refrigerator.
- Should onions be refrigerated unpeeled to stay fresh?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Unpeeled onions should be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated place.
If onions are kept in the fridge for too long, they are prone to mold and can become grainy. The National Onion Association in the U.S. advises that unpeeled onions need ventilation to extend their shelf life, so there’s no need to wrap them in plastic bags when stored at room temperature.
Other spices like garlic, chili, saffron, and turmeric should also not be refrigerated. Light-sensitive spices like Hungarian paprika, saffron, and turmeric are best stored in dark, airtight containers in cupboards or cool places.
- Should tomatoes be refrigerated after purchase?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Tomatoes don’t belong in the refrigerator.
Like onions, tomatoes’ texture changes in cold temperatures, becoming grainy. So, avoid refrigerating tomatoes.
- Does honey spoil if kept at room temperature?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Honey should be stored in a sealed jar at room temperature in a dry environment.
Honey’s low pH and high sugar content make it a natural preservative, preventing microbial growth. Refrigeration causes sugar to crystallize, making it difficult to scoop out.
- Should uneaten bread be refrigerated?
○Yes ＸNo
No! Keep a one or two-day supply at room temperature, and freeze the rest.
Refrigerated bread becomes hard and chewy, as the cold changes its starch structure, shortening its shelf life. To keep bread fresh, wrap it in plastic or foil and freeze it. Room temperature storage is the next best option.
- Can coffee beans be stored in the fridge?
○Yes ＸNo
Yes! Refrigeration dehydrates coffee beans.
Neither ground coffee nor whole beans should be refrigerated. Cold temperatures dehydrate the beans, diminishing their aroma. Coffee also absorbs surrounding odors, which can result in a mix of flavors from other refrigerated items.
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