- Clearly, fresh meats, seafood, and dairy products ought to be stored in the refrigerator.
- However, there are additional components that may be stored improperly.
It's an action we typically perform without giving it much thought.
However, the next time you're putting away your grocery shopping, consider how you stow your goods.
Researchers from Two Wombats have shared unexpected items that deserve a spot in your refrigerator.
'They clarified that items such as fresh meat, fish, and dairy products ought to be stored in the refrigerator.'
However, there are additional components that may astonish you when you discover they have been stored improperly.
1. Ketchup
Many individuals incorrectly think that ketchup should be kept on a pantry shelf, similar to how it appears in stores.
Nevertheless, after opening, experts recommend keeping ketchup refrigerated.
'They clarified that it is perfectly acceptable to keep it in the pantry as long as it remains unopened and sealed.'
However, after opening, it’s advisable to keep it in the refrigerator to preserve its inherent tartness, taste, aroma, and hue.
2. Grilled corn on the cob
If you’re buying extra ears of corn for your upcoming barbecue, it’s advisable to store them in the refrigerator.
According to the experts, 'if you chill the corn on the cob right after buying it, this process significantly slows down the transformation of its sugars into starches.'
This will keep its inherent sweetness and crunchy consistency for an extended time.
3. Wholegrain flour
Perhaps the most unexpected entry on this list is whole grain flour.
Unlike other varieties of flour which are generally stored in the pantry, whole grain flour contains more oils; therefore, it may become rancid if left at room temperature.
According to the experts, 'cooling helps maintain both the freshness and flavor, which makes it ideal for baking.'
4. Butter
Storing butter on the kitchen table is perfectly acceptable from a technical standpoint.
If, however, you wish to extend its freshness and enhance the flavor, storing it in the refrigerator is your best bet.
According to the experts, 'The ideal method to ensure your butter remains easily spreadable and fresh involves taking out only as much as you'll need for meals and letting it sit outside the refrigerator for roughly an hour prior to usage, allowing it to reach the perfect consistency.'
5. Tortillas
If you frequently purchase tortillas, you might have observed that they tend to become moldy rather swiftly.
To address this problem, the specialists recommend storing your tortillas in the refrigerator.
They clarified that tortilla packages are very responsive to fluctuations in temperature, potentially causing moisture buildup and leading to mold growth.
When storing them in the refrigerator, corn tortillas can remain fresh for up to eight weeks, flour tortillas for as long as four weeks, and homemade tortillas will stay good for about seven days rather than just two or three.
6. Nuts
If you intend to eat the nuts within a month from when you bought them, storing them in your pantry is acceptable.
If you wish to maintain their freshness for an extended period, it's advisable to store them in the refrigerator.
The specialists mentioned, 'Unsaturated fats found in nuts are fragile and may become rancid rapidly, which alters their inherent taste and reduces their appeal.'
7. Natural peanut butter
From brands like Pip & Nut to Meridien, natural peanut butter has gained significant popularity in the UK due to its simple ingredients and absence of stabilizers.
Similar to nuts, if you plan to finish your natural peanut butter within a couple of weeks, you can keep it in the pantry for storage.
If you intend to store it for an extended period, though, experts recommend keeping it in the refrigerator.
'The key difference with natural peanut butter compared to traditional versions lies in the absence of stabilizers; hence, refrigerating them ensures it stays smoother and fresher over time,' they clarified.
To stop natural peanut butter from separating, mix it well and keep it refrigerated with the lid facing downwards.
8. Cooked rice
If you have some extra rice, it may appear harmless to keep it out on the countertop.
This can indeed result in food poisoning, as per the experts' opinion.
They stated, "Bacillus cereus spores, which can lead to stomach issues such as vomiting or diarrhea, may be present in all types of raw rice."
These spores can withstand high temperatures and remain viable even following the cooking process.
To stop bacterial growth, it’s advised to split big quantities of rice into smaller parts so they can cool more quickly by being spread out on a shallow pan prior to refrigerating them.
This technique minimizes the chance of bacteria developing and stops the rice from getting too sticky or soft when warmed up again.
9. Jam
Even though jam has a lot of sugar, which could make you believe it’s okay to keep it in the pantry, this isn’t actually true.
Once opened, however, mold and fermentation can swiftly develop.
'As soon as you open the jar, it’s important to place it back in the fridge,' according to the experts.
By using a fresh spoon every time you take some jam out, you can greatly increase how long it stays good. Also, putting the jar back into the refrigerator right away after each use helps stop mold from forming and keeps the jam at its best quality.
10. Yeast
It's an essential component in numerous baked products, yet yeast is extremely responsive to alterations in its environment.
When unopened, it can be kept in a cool, dry area, but refrigeration is strongly suggested after opening.
"The reduced temperatures inside the refrigerator help maintain the yeast's activity and stop it from becoming inactive, guaranteeing that it stays effective enough for your baking requirements," the specialists explained.
After opening a can of yeast, it’s important to move any remaining yeast into an airtight container prior to storing it in the fridge.
This stops moisture from rendering the yeast inactive. If kept under proper conditions, yeast can retain its effectiveness for approximately 4 to 6 months once opened.
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