Essential tips for storing food
In the cupboard: potatoes
Cold temperatures turn starch in potatoes into sugar, which can make them discolored and bland. Potatoes should be stored unwashed and in a well-ventilated spot well away from any sunlight. If possible, keep them in a burlap sack or a wicker basket.
In the cupboard: eggplants
Eggplants don't need to be kept in the refrigerator, but be careful not to leave them somewhere too warm, or they'll shrivel up. It's important to find a happy medium if you want to get the best from this ingredient: house them in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
In the cupboard: pickled veg
So long as you’ve not contaminated the jar with a dirty spoon, the preservatives used in manufactured pickles mean they should last just fine in the cupboard, freeing up precious refrigerator space. Make sure the lid is tight and check the use-by date (and any specific instructions on the label). However, if you're storing fermented pickles or you've pickled your own veg, these are best kept in the refrigerator.
In the cupboard: soy sauce
Labels on bottles of soy sauce may state it should be refrigerated, but restaurants safely leave the condiment on tables all day. The truth? The high salt content means it can be stored at room temperature for up to six months.
In the cupboard: Champagne
If you’re not planning on opening a bottle of Champagne or sparkling wine within five days of putting it in the refrigerator, don’t keep it stored there as the fluctuating temperature of the door opening and closing will wreak havoc on it. Champagne is best stored on its side, away from light, in a room with a consistent temperature. Chill a couple of hours before you want to open it.
On the countertop: tomatoes
Refrigerator temperatures damage tomatoes' membranes, causing them to become watery and mealy. Storing them in the refrigerator will also permanently dampen their flavor. The best place to put tomatoes is out on a counter or worktop.
On the countertop: fresh soft herbs
Soft herbs like basil, cilantro, mint, parsley and dill should be treated like bunches of flowers – trim the stems and keep them in a glass with fresh water. If confined to the refrigerator, the leaves will wilt and quickly become soggy. However, hard herbs such as rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano should be wrapped in a paper towel and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
On the countertop: butter
Butter is virtually unspreadable straight from the refrigerator and it’s perfectly safe to store a block (or stick) in a covered dish on a worktop for a day or two, says the USDA's FoodKeeper App. However, you don’t want it to melt or go rancid so transfer it somewhere cooler, out of direct sunlight in the hot summer months. If you don’t plan to use the butter within a few days, it’s best kept in the refrigerator.
On the countertop: peaches
Don’t be tempted to slip fresh peaches in the refrigerator if they’re not yet ripe and ready. Like many other stone fruits, cold temperatures hinder the ripening process, meaning you’ll be left waiting longer to dig in. They’re also at a higher risk of spoiling. Store them on the countertop instead and only chill to make them last a bit longer if they’re about ready to tuck into.
On the countertop: bananas
Warm temperatures, around 59–68°F (15–20°C), are needed for a banana to ripen correctly, and this process is halted when the fruit is put in the refrigerator. The skin may also eventually turn black in the refrigerator because of the impact the temperature has on a banana's cell walls.
Don't store together: onions and potatoes
With similar shelf life and storage requirements, you might be tempted to store potatoes and onions together, but it's a bad idea. Onions produce a small amount of ethylene, which has a very significant effect on potatoes. Spuds will start to sprout and can even grow a decay-causing fungus. Separate the two vegetables and they'll last up to a month in your pantry. It's worth noting that it's fine to store garlic with onions though.
Don't store together: pumpkin and fruit
Pumpkins and other types of squash might be hardy on the outside, but they're very susceptible to ethylene produced by fruit. Keep them apart and your pumpkins (as well as both summer and winter squashes) will keep for significantly longer – pumpkins can last as long as three months in the pantry, if stored on their own.
Store on its own: cucumbers
Cucumbers are especially sensitive to ethylene, so unless you want to see accelerated decay and yellowing, keep them as far away as possible from any other fruit or veg. They also won't last very long in the refrigerator – only up to six days – so make sure you only buy what you need and use it up quickly.
Store on its own: cauliflower and broccoli
More veg that will start to yellow prematurely in the presence of ethylene, broccoli and cauliflower are also highly sensitive to the gas. The leaves will start to detach from the stalks and go limp if they're kept close to apples, melons and tomatoes. These brassicas also have a relatively short shelf life so keep them in the refrigerator away from other produce and they'll keep for up to five days.
Store on its own: carrots
Carrots are also sensitive to ethylene. The popular root vegetable is quite hardy and will last up to three weeks if refrigerated, but if you keep them close to ethylene-producing foods like apples, potatoes or tomatoes, they'll start to develop a bitter taste rather quickly.
In the refrigerator: dates
You might be surprised to find out that dates are best stored in the refrigerator, despite the fact other dried fruit is fine the cupboard. This is because dates are not as dehydrated as other dried fruit, like cranberries or apricots. As they still hold a bit of moisture, it's best to keep them cool in an airtight container to preserve their flavor. If you store them outside the refrigerator, they will progressively become drier and lose their flavor.
In the refrigerator: dates
You might be surprised to find out that dates are best stored in the refrigerator, despite the fact other dried fruit is fine the cupboard. This is because dates are not as dehydrated as other dried fruit, like cranberries or apricots. As they still hold a bit of moisture, it's best to keep them cool in an airtight container to preserve their flavor. If you store them outside the refrigerator, they will progressively become drier and lose their flavor.
In the refrigerator: pure maple syrup
Despite its high sugar content, pure syrup can and will spoil, if not refrigerated. There are no preservatives in pure maple syrup so over time it will develop a layer of mold on the surface, if kept at room temperature. For long-term storage, you're better off keeping it in the refrigerator.
In the refrigerator: ketchup (but only after opening)
Whether ketchup should be stored in the refrigerator or in the pantry is somewhat of a contentious question. While it would be safe to assume that due to the ketchup's high vinegar, salt and sugar content it's safe to store at room temperature, it isn't exactly the case. Heinz has confirmed that thanks to its natural acidity, Heinz Ketchup is shelf-stable. However, as soon as you've opened your bottle, the storage conditions can affect that stability. "We recommend that this product, like any processed food, be refrigerated after opening," says Heinz.
In the refrigerator: eggs (but only in the US)
In the US, eggs are sterilized after production to kill bacteria, which also weakens the eggshell. This means they should be kept cool to prevent the bacteria from returning. In most of Europe, disinfecting eggs is illegal and the EU recommends that eggs are kept cool but not refrigerated.
In the freezer: tomato or vegetable sauce
One way to preserve produce – especially watery vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchini and green beans that can go soggy – is to turn them into a healthy sauce which can be frozen, then defrosted and cooked when required. Ratatouille and vegetable-packed tomato sauce are two great options.
In the freezer: batter
Made too much batter? Don’t discard it – it can be kept in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. Alternatively, freeze in a zip-lock bag so it can lay flat and save space in the freezer. Defrost thoroughly before using.
In the freezer: dough and raw pastry
In the freezer: scrambled egg
In the freezer: pancakes
Cooked pancakes can also be frozen for a couple of months. To store, allow the pancakes to cool down then put parchment paper between each one before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap. You can reheat from frozen in a microwave, the oven or in a toaster – just keep an eye on them so they don't go too crispy or burn.
Never freeze: raw eggs in their shell
Never freeze: frosting
Frosting made with egg whites can separate if frozen and then defrosted. This can and will ruin a cake, so instead freeze the cake and make the frosting fresh.
Never freeze: cooked rice
Storing cooked rice in the refrigerator or freezer is the cause of much debate, but you have to be aware of the risks. Cooked rice left at room temperature is a breeding ground for bacillus cereus, a bacterium that causes food poisoning. If you do want to keep rice, make sure it cools quickly and keep in the refrigerator no longer than a day. When reheating it, make sure it’s heated through thoroughly and is piping hot.
Never freeze: raw potatoes
Potatoes have a high water content so if they're frozen, that water freezes, causing ice crystals to form which affects the taste and texture once thawed. One way around the problem is to part-cook or completely cook the potatoes before freezing, but it’s generally better to avoid.
Never freeze: salad and salad leaves
Cucumber, lettuce, radishes and salad greens have a high water content, which causes this produce to turn limp and mushy when defrosted. Buy and eat fresh is the only rule you should remember when it comes to salads.
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