Proper food storage is essential for maintaining freshness and preventing foodborne illnesses. While some foods require refrigeration to stay safe and edible, others can actually spoil or lose their flavor if stored in the fridge. Here’s a guide to help you understand which items should be kept out of the refrigerator.

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Foods to Keep Out of the Refrigerator

1. Berries: Berries should be kept at room temperature if you plan to use them soon. Refrigeration can cause them to become soggy and moldy. Only rinse them right before use to prevent mold growth.
2. Avocados: Store avocados at room temperature to allow them to ripen. Refrigeration halts the ripening process. To speed up ripening, place them in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana.
3. Donuts: Keep donuts at room temperature to maintain their freshness. Refrigeration can make them stale and soggy. They should be consumed within two days.
4. Aged Cheese: Hard cheeses do not need refrigeration after they have been cured. Store them in a cool, dark place to prevent them from becoming rock hard.
5. Potatoes: Store potatoes in a pantry to prevent their starches from turning into sugar, which can happen in the fridge. Cooked potatoes, however, should be refrigerated.
6. Tuna: Unopened canned tuna should be stored at room temperature. Once opened, transfer the tuna to a sealed container and refrigerate.
7. Chocolate-Hazelnut Spread: Keep spreads like Nutella out of the fridge to maintain their creamy texture. Refrigeration causes them to harden.
8. Garlic: Store whole bulbs of garlic in a cool, dry place in a ventilated container. Once broken, use the cloves within 10 days.
9. Onions: Keep onions in a cool, dry place. Refrigeration can cause them to become mushy and moldy.
10. Eggs: Eggs can be stored at room temperature if they were purchased that way. However, if bought refrigerated, they should remain in the fridge.
11. Coffee Storage: It’s generally advised not to store coffee or coffee beans in the fridge or freezer. The main reason is that these environments are too humid, which can make coffee tasteless and less aromatic. The cold temperatures can also cause condensation, which affects the flavor and quality of the coffee. If you have bought coffee in bulk and won’t be using it immediately, or if you are not a daily coffee drinker, freezing might be an option. However, it should be done properly to maintain freshness.
12. Honey Storage: Storing honey in the refrigerator is not recommended as it can cause crystallization, turning it into a clumpy mess. The best place to store honey is in your pantry, away from extreme temperatures. Honey has a long shelf life due to its high sugar content, which prevents bacterial growth when stored properly.
13. Butter Storage: Butter can be left out of the fridge, which makes it easier to spread. It should be kept covered and in a cool area away from direct sunlight. However, consider the climate; in hot climates, it might be necessary to refrigerate butter to prevent it from spoiling.
14. Melon Storage: Melons are best stored at room temperature to maintain their sweetness and juiciness. This also helps preserve antioxidants and nutrients. Once cut, melons should be wrapped and stored in the fridge, where they can last for about three days.
15. Basil Storage: Basil should not be stored in the refrigerator as it can quickly wilt and turn brown. Instead, trim the stems and place them in a glass of water at room temperature, similar to how you would keep flowers.
16. Eggplant Storage: If you plan to use eggplant within two days, keep it at room temperature in a cool, dry place. For longer storage, it can be kept in the refrigerator’s crisper. Keep eggplants away from ethylene-producing fruits like bananas and tomatoes.
17. Peanut Butter Storage: Regular peanut butter does not need refrigeration and can become hard and dry if stored in the fridge. However, natural peanut butter, which can separate and spoil, should be refrigerated.
18. Olive Oil Storage: Olive oil should not be stored in the fridge as it can become cloudy and solidify. Instead, keep it in a dark cupboard, where it can last for at least a year.
19. Pickles Storage: If pickles are bought from the refrigerated section, they should be kept in the fridge. However, most pickles do not require refrigeration due to their high salt and vinegar content, which preserves them.
20. Vinegar Storage: Vinegar has an indefinite shelf life and should be stored in a cool, dark place. However, vinaigrettes with additional ingredients may require refrigeration.
21. Ketchup: Ketchup is naturally acidic, which makes it inhospitable for most microorganisms, allowing it to be stored at room temperature without spoiling quickly. Many people prefer the taste of ketchup at room temperature, especially when used on hot foods like burgers and hot dogs. However, if you live in a particularly hot climate or do not use ketchup frequently, refrigerating it can help extend its shelf life.
22. Mustard: Like ketchup, mustard has a high acidity level, making it self-preserving and safe to store at room temperature. This is why you often see mustard stored outside of refrigeration in restaurants. The choice between room temperature and refrigeration is largely a matter of personal preference, as some people prefer the taste of chilled mustard.
23. Stone Fruit: Stone fruits such as peaches, apricots, nectarines, and plums should be allowed to ripen at room temperature. Refrigerating them before they are ripe can cause chill damage, leading to a mealy texture and loss of flavor. Once ripe, if you are not planning to eat them immediately, you can refrigerate them to slow down further ripening.
24. Tomatoes: Tomatoes should not be refrigerated if you want to preserve their flavor. Cold temperatures can damage the flavor-enhancing cells in tomatoes, leading to a less flavorful fruit. Researchers are exploring ways to genetically modify tomatoes to prevent this issue, but for now, it’s best to store them at room temperature, such as on a windowsill, especially if they are unripe 
25. Molasses: Molasses is highly viscous and becomes even more so when refrigerated, making it difficult to use. It is best stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place like a pantry. An unopened jar of molasses can last about a year, while an opened jar is best used within six months.
26. Nuts & Dried Fruits: The cold temperature can diminish the nutty flavor and make dried fruits too firm and tasteless. Instead, keep them in an airtight container in the pantry. If you have nuts in their shells, store them separately to prevent them from absorbing odors from other foods 
27. Bananas: Unripe bananas are green and firm, and they will ripen naturally at room temperature. If they are ripe and you won’t eat them soon, you can refrigerate them to slow down the ripening process. However, keep them away from other fruits and vegetables to avoid accelerating their ripening.
28. Cucumber: Keeping them in temperatures below 50°F can damage their texture. Store cucumbers in your pantry, away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples and bananas.
29. Bread: Doing so will dry it out and make it stale quickly. Instead, store bread at room temperature in a tightly sealed package. If you have excess bread, freezing it is a great option.
30. Chocolate: It can lead to a condition known as “sugar bloom,” which makes the chocolate grainy and gritty. For the best taste and texture, keep chocolate at room temperature.
31. Cereal: The humidity can make it lose its crunch. However, if you have issues with pests, storing it in the fridge might be a temporary solution.
32. Pumpkins: Pumpkins should not be refrigerated. The cold can damage them. Instead, store them in a dry, cool place like your pantry.

33. Spices: Spices lose their flavor and can clump together if stored in the refrigerator. It’s best to keep them in a dry cupboard or spice rack at room temperature for optimal potency and aroma.

34. Apples: Apples can produce ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in other fruits. They can last a week or two on the counter, but if you refrigerate them, keep them separate from other produce to prevent spoilage.

35. Hot Sauce: Hot sauce does not require refrigeration due to its strong ingredients that inhibit bacterial growth. However, refrigerating it can extend its shelf life and maintain flavor. Choose based on your usage frequency.