Apples
Keep this crunchy produce out of the fridge! This red and green fruit can last one or two weeks when stored at room temperature and tend to ripen quicker when refrigerated. Apples also emit a natural gas that helps other produce ripen, if you store them in the fridge this gas will become trapped and impact your perishables. Keep your apples on the bench, their enzymes are more active at room temperature making them more nutritious!
Tomatoes
This delicious fruit (yes fruit!) thrive in cool dry environments – so take your tomatoes out of the fridge right now and pop them on the counter! The fridge quickly changes their texture, flavour and nutrients.
Avocados
These creamy delights should be kept in a cool dry place in the open air. Pop them in the fruit bowl for the ones you want to eat now, if you want to slow down the ripening process the fridge it the place for them.
Vegemite
According to Vegemite this Aussie spread should be store on the shelf and away from your fridge! After opened Vegemite is perfectly safe in your pantry.
Bananas
Similar to avocados these yellow fingers ripen slowly in the fridge, but be carefully the moisture in the fridge can quickly turn them black! To get the most nutrition out of them open air is the best – if you have too many, try slicing them up and freezing them. Add a few pieces of frozen banana to your smoothie in the morning is a great treat!
Bread
The fridge is the worst place for your bread! The cold will quickly turn your loaf into stale, dry slices – remember bread acts like a sponge and will absorb any odors floating about.
Soy Sauce
Fermented this sauce is fine to stay in the pantry and will last about a year and a half before its flavour changes.
Tomato sauce
Dividing friends, when it comes to tomato sauce many people are split down the middle. But according to experts tomato sauce is meant to be stored in your pantry even after opening. Filled with preservatives as long as you don’t contaminate the sauce with another item, the pantry is the place for it.
Citrus
Make room in your pantry for your lemons, limes, mandarins and oranges. For the perfect ripening conditions room temperature is the best. They will develop a lovely sweet flavour if ripened correctly.
Cucumber
‘Cool as a cucumber’ should not be taken literally – it turns out the cold temperature of a fridge can cause a soggy vegetable. Easily waterlogged, for the perfect crunch pop them in the pantry.
Tropical fruits
Mangoes, plums, kiwis, apricots and peaches should all be kept in your fruit bowl on the counter. The fridge will drain their lovely fresh flavour.
Carrots
A common wives tale has led a lot of people to believe the fridge is best for carrots. But a long stay in the cold air can turn your orange friends limp and soggy. Try storing these out of direct sunlight and give the cupboard a go.
Chocolate
Some love the snap of a cold block of chocolate, but experts say it should be stores between 18 and 21 degrees.
