Is it ever okay to leave your berries on the counter? Do you store your coffee in the fridge to keep it fresh? If you’re not quite sure about what belongs on the counter or what should always go in the fridge, read on to discover the 10 foods that maintain optimal freshness at room temperature!
Citrus
The best way to keep your citrus fruit fresh is on the countertop! Be sure to toss out any citrus with mold – it can spread to other fruits!
Coffee Grounds
You may have heard that keeping coffee beans and grounds in the fridge will keep your coffee fresh. False. Keep it in the pantry for a tasty cup of coffee every single time.
Tomatoes
For the best flavor and optimal juiciness, store your tomatoes at room temperature.
Berries
It’s a common misconception that fruit should be stored in the fridge. Not so! Keeping your fruit at room temperature will help your berries stay fresher longer. It’s also better to wash fruit when you’re ready to eat it.
Bananas
Bananas need to be at room temperature to ripen. If you put them in the fridge they won’t be able to ripen up nicely!
Soy Sauce
Soy sauce is a fermented condiment. This means that it can stay out of the fridge for about a year while maintaining its freshness!
Olive Oil
Olive oil should always be kept at room temperature! Putting it in the fridge will only cause it to harden.
Potatoes
Putting your potatoes in the fridge? Big no-no. Doing so will only make them gritty and sweet.
Hot Sauce
The vinegar in hot sauce keeps it preserved! No need to store it in the fridge.
Basil
You may be tempted to put basil (and other herbs) in the fridge, but they stay their freshest at room temperature, with their stems submerged in water.