6 things you’re better off keeping chilled
For many products, the rule is: store them at home the way you find them in the shop. For example, never put your lovely fresh tomatoes in the fridge. But this rule doesn’t always apply to everything. There are actually quite a few groceries that, surprisingly enough, you’re better off keeping chilled at home…
I keep apples in the fridge not because I have to, but because I find a cold apple so refreshing in summer. And what about these products, and why are you definitely better off keeping them cold..?
You’re better off keeping these chilled
Ketchup
At any old burger joint, you’ll find ketchup simply sitting on the table. But that’s probably because they get through it at breakneck speed. At home, you’re better off keeping ketchup in the fridge to preserve its fresh sweetness. Not that bacteria get a chance to ruin your ketchup very quickly outside the fridge, mind you—the acidity is too high for that.
Ripe bananas
Okay, we’re not all entirely in agreement about this in the editorial office, but trust me: unless you’re on your way to making homemade banana bread, you’re better off putting ripe bananas somewhere cold to slow down the ripening process. That way, you can still enjoy a perfect banana the next day, without it becoming completely mushy and soft. If they’ve already reached that point, you know what you need to do with those overripe bananas. Get baking! And green bananas: you can eat those too!
Flaxseed
Good for digestion and rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins. The ground form, which the body digests best, is apparently better stored somewhere cool and in an airtight container. If it oxidises (more quickly) at room temperature, it can spoil and lose its beneficial properties.
Almond flour
You can do some delicious baking with almond flour, although don’t be mistaken about its high calorie content and assume that it must therefore be incredibly healthy. Nope. From experience, we can also report that almond flour stored for too long (outside the fridge) starts to smell stale and rancid. You won’t be baking anything delicious with that anymore, believe us. But you can extend the life of its beneficial fats, as well as the vitamin E it contains, by putting it in the fridge (again, in an airtight container).
Maple syrup
If you manage to get your hands on a jar or bottle of high-quality maple syrup from Canada or the US, it can’t hurt to keep it refrigerated. Unlike honey, this maple syrup can spoil and develop mould. Keep your next pancake breakfast safe; put that syrup in the fridge!
Dates
Dates, which are available in more varieties than you might think, are dried for less time than apricots, figs or other stone-fruit friends. That makes them more susceptible to spoilage, which would be a shame. Our colleague Steffi likes to eat them as a snack, split open and filled with a little peanut butter, and you can also make delicious biscuits and bars with dates. It’s a good idea to keep them in the fridge so they don’t dry out and lose their flavour. If you want to eat or serve them at room temperature, simply take them out in good time.
