It’s something most of us do without thinking twice about it.
But the next time you pick up your groceries from the grocery store, you might want to rethink where you keep your items.
Food researchers at Two Wombats have revealed the surprising foods you should keep in the fridge.
“It is clear that products such as fresh meat, fish and dairy products should be kept in the refrigerator,” they explained.
“But there are other ingredients you might be surprised to learn you’ve been storing incorrectly.”
Where do you store these ingredients? Surprisingly, nuts and whole wheat flour are among the products that are best kept in the refrigerator
1. Ketchup
Many people mistakenly think that ketchup should be kept on the cupboard shelf, just like it is in the supermarket.
But once it’s opened, experts say ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator.
“Unopened and sealed, it’s fine to store in the pantry,” they explained.
‘But once opened, it is best to store it in the refrigerator so that the natural acidity, taste, smell and color are retained.’
2. Corn on the cob
If you have corn on the cob on hand for your next barbecue, it is best to store them in the refrigerator.
‘If you store corn on the cob in the refrigerator immediately after purchase, it greatly slows down the conversion of the sugars into starch,’ say the experts.
‘This preserves the natural sweetness and crunchy texture for longer.’
It’s technically fine to keep butter on the kitchen table. However, if you want to prolong its freshness and improve its taste, it is best to store it in the refrigerator
3. Whole wheat flour
One of the most surprising items on the list is whole wheat flour.
While other flours are typically stored in the cupboard, whole wheat flour has a higher oil content and can therefore become rancid if left at room temperature.
‘The freshness and flavor can be retained by cooling it, making it perfect for baking,’ say the experts.
4. Butter
It’s technically fine to keep butter on the kitchen table.
However, if you want to prolong its freshness and improve its taste, it is best to store it in the refrigerator.
‘The best way to keep butter spreadable and fresh is to take out just enough before meals and leave it out of the fridge for about an hour before using so it can soften properly,’ say the experts.
If you have leftover rice, it may seem harmless to leave it on the counter. However, according to experts, this can actually lead to food poisoning
5. Tortillas
If you regularly buy tortillas, you may have noticed that they get moldy annoyingly quickly.
To solve this problem, the experts recommend keeping your tortillas in the refrigerator.
“Tortilla wrappers are very sensitive to temperature changes, which can cause moisture to build up and mold to develop,” they explain.
“If you store them in the refrigerator, corn tortillas will last for up to eight weeks, flour tortillas for up to four, and homemade tortillas for seven days instead of the usual two or three.”
6. Nuts
If you plan to consume nuts within a month of purchase, they are fine to store in your pantry.
However, if you want to keep them fresh for longer, it is best to store them in the refrigerator.
“The unsaturated fats in nuts are fragile and can quickly become rancid, affecting their natural flavor and making them less tasty,” the experts said.
7. Natural peanut butter
From Pip & Nut to Meridien, natural peanut butters are now hugely popular in the UK, thanks to their base ingredients and lack of stabilizers.
If you are going to consume your natural peanut butter within a few weeks, you can store it in the pantry, just like you would with nuts.
However, if you plan to keep it for longer, it is better to keep it in the refrigerator, according to the experts.
“Unlike conventional peanut butter, natural varieties do not contain stabilizers, so refrigerating them keeps the spread smooth and fresh for longer,” they explained.
“To prevent natural peanut butter from separating, stir it and store it upside down in the refrigerator.”
8. Boiled rice
If you have leftover rice, it may seem harmless to leave it on the counter.
However, according to experts, this can actually lead to food poisoning.
“All types of uncooked rice may contain spores of Bacillus cereus, a bacteria that can cause gastrointestinal illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea,” they said.
‘These spores are heat resistant and survive even after cooking.
From Pip & Nut to Meridien, natural peanut butters are now hugely popular in the UK, thanks to their base ingredients and lack of stabilizers. If you are going to consume your natural peanut butter within a few weeks, you can store it in the pantry, just like you would with nuts.
‘To prevent the growth of bacteria, it is advisable to divide large quantities of rice into smaller portions and allow them to cool more quickly by spreading them out on a shallow dish before storing in the refrigerator.
‘This method reduces the chance of bacterial growth and prevents the rice from becoming too lumpy or mushy when reheating.’
9. Jam
Because of its high sugar content, you would think that jam could be safely stored in the cupboard.
However, once the bottle is opened, mold and fermentation can quickly occur.
“Once you take the lid off the jar, it’s time to put it in the refrigerator,” the experts said.
‘If you use a clean spoon every time you scoop the jam, you can significantly extend its shelf life. In addition, storing the jam in the refrigerator after each use helps prevent mold formation and maintain its quality.’
10. Yeast
It is an essential ingredient in many baking products, but yeast is very sensitive to environmental changes.
Unopened it can be stored in a cool, dry place, but refrigeration is highly recommended once opened.
“The lower temperatures in the refrigerator help maintain the yeast’s activity and prevent it from dying, keeping the yeast sufficient for your baking needs,” the experts added.
‘Once you’ve opened a can of yeast, it’s crucial to place any unused yeast in an airtight container before placing it in the refrigerator.
‘This prevents moisture from deactivating the yeast. If stored properly, yeast can maintain its activity for approximately 4 to 6 months after opening.”