A recent study revealed that, on average, Brits throw away £21,000 worth of food in their lifetime, simply by storing food incorrectly. By keeping certain foods in the fridge rather than cupboards, consumers could save an average of £340 per year by helping to prolong freshness and reducing the need to rebuy items.
However, when it comes to which foods are better stored in the fridge than the cupboard, there are a few grey areas. To help you out, catering experts, Alliance Online, have rounded up a list of nine foods that should be kept in the fridge.
Note: These are general recommendations; it’s important to always check food labels for suggested storage. If food ever looks or smells like it may have gone off, it’s best to be safe and dispose of it. Consuming contaminated food can lead to food poisoning.
1. Ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard
Whether or not you should store condiments like ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard in the fridge is an age-old debate.
However, experts agree that if you go through sauces slower than one bottle per month, it’s best to keep them in the fridge as this reduces the chances of bacterial growth.
2. Lemons, limes, and oranges
Lemons, limes, and oranges will keep for up to four times longer if they’re stored in the fridge. This is because cooler temperatures help to prevent them from drying out.
3. Eggs
Despite being sold at room temperature, Alliance Online recommend storing eggs in the fridge at home. Refrigerating eggs helps to protect them from salmonella and maintain their best quality and taste.
4. Opened red wine
Once opened, red wine should be resealed and stored in the fridge. This helps to slow down the oxidation process (when a substance reacts and combines with oxygen) – preventing the wine from spoiling and turning into vinegar. Once opened, red wine should stay fresh for around five days.
5. Butter
Many people like to leave butter out of the fridge to keep it soft and make it easier to spread. However, while butter can be kept at room temperature safely for around two weeks, it’s best to only leave a small amount out at a time. Storing the rest in the fridge will help to maintain its quality.
6. Apples
Apples are one of the few fruits that benefit from being refrigerated. Apples produce ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that accelerates the ripening process in other fruits and vegetables. Keeping them in the fridge can slow down this process.
7. Pure maple syrup
If left at room temperature, pure maple syrup can spoil over time and develop mould on the surface.
8. Jam and marmalade
Once opened, jam and marmalade should be stored in the fridge. This will help to keep them free from developing mould and bad odours.
9. Cream liqueur
Unopened, cream liqueurs typically last two years when stored at room temperature. However, because many contain dairy, cream liqueurs are prone to spoiling once opened. For this reason, experts recommend storing them in the fridge once opened and consuming them within six months.
However, there is one exception: Baileys! Manufacturers guarantee Baileys’ freshness for two years, regardless of whether it’s opened, unopened, stored in the fridge, or at room temperature.
Which of these foods do you keep in the fridge? Have any items on this list surprised you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.