Milk, meat, and eggs should all be kept in the refrigerator. But what about items that aren't so obvious? Refrigerating these foods will help them stay fresh and safe for longer.
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1. Tortillas
Mold may form on certain tortillas. That's why many tortilla packets specify that they should be refrigerated after opening. To keep tortillas fresh, chill them. The date on their box is for quality assurance, so if items are kept correctly and show no indications of deterioration, they may be used beyond the expiration date.
2. Sausage
Cured meats, such as salami, are less likely to carry germs than cooked meats, although this does not necessarily imply that they are completely safe. Refrigeration may help prevent bacterial development, but persons who are more susceptible to foodborne diseases, such as pregnant women, the elderly, and those with weaker immune systems, should reheat ready-to-eat items like lunch and deli meats. Refrigerate salami that hasn't been opened for up to two weeks. It should be drunk within three to five days after opening.
3. Ripe Bananas
It's acceptable to leave bananas on the counter to ripen. The problem is that they keep ripening and ripening. Refrigerate them for up to three days after they're ready to consume. Even if their skins become brown, they're still safe to consume.
4. Nuts
The unsaturated lipids in nuts are easily rancid. While this may not be harmful to your health, it may be detrimental to taste. Refrigerate nuts in a sealed plastic or glass container for four to six months to keep their taste fresh.
5. Maple Syrup
The shelf life of maple syrup is surprisingly low. If yours is in the pantry, it's time to move it to the refrigerator. Maple syrup may be kept fresh for up to a year if kept in the refrigerator. However, if you observe any mold development, throw it out right once.
6. Dried Fruit
Because dried fruit has less moisture than fresh fruit, it does not deteriorate as rapidly, but chilling may help it last longer. Keep it in the refrigerator's main compartment for up to six months.
7. Ketchup
Eateries may leave the ketchup on the table, but you should not. While the high acid level will keep most germs away, the low temperatures will assist protect the taste and freshness of the product. Ketchup may be stored in the refrigerator for up to six months.
8. Corn on the Cob
When maize is kept at room temperature after harvesting, it loses a significant amount of its sugar content. Keep corn, husks, and all, in the fridge for one to two days unless you're intending to prepare it right away.
9. Chocolate Syrup
Chocolate syrup is a simple technique to improve the flavor of a glass of milk. But not if it has acquired strange tastes. After opening, chill yours for up to six months of enjoyment.
10. Pecan and Pumpkin Pies
These sweets, which are made with eggs, are bacteria magnets. They may be eaten at room temperature for up to two hours after baking, but only one hour if the temperature is over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They should then be placed in the fridge and consumed within three to four days, or frozen for later use.
10. Natural Peanut Butter
Natural peanut butter is the purest kind of peanut butter. Most of the time, it's just ground peanuts and a pinch of salt. Natural peanut butter behaves differently from commercial peanut butter due to its unprocessed state: The oils from the peanuts may separate from the solids in natural peanut butter, which does not happen in "normal" peanut butter due to the inclusion of hydrogenated oils or palm oil.
Consider refrigerating your jar of natural peanut butter if you don't intend on completing it within a month or if you live in a hot region. If not kept cold, the oils in the peanuts might grow rancid.
Similarly, if the label specifies that the product is refrigerated after opening, follow the directions. If your peanut butter is hard from being in the fridge, scoop out what you need and let it warm up at room temperature for a few minutes before spreading.
11. Butter
You probably know someone who keeps butter out of the refrigerator to improve its "spreadability." However, most people are aware that butter should be kept in the refrigerator—just not where you may expect it.
That handy little butter section on your refrigerator door isn't the greatest place to keep it. The average temperature might increase as a result of opening and shutting the refrigerator door. Butter should be kept at the back of your refrigerator, where the temperature is more consistently cool.
