Revealed: The foods you should never store in the fridge

Some groceries that people often keep chilled will actually store much better in a cool, dry environment. Photo / 123RF

Some groceries need to be kept in the fridge or they will become mouldy or go off very quickly, particularly in the summer heat.

But there are some items that don't need to be kept chilled at all — including some groceries that many people needlessly keep in the fridge, the Daily Mail reports.

From melons to tomatoes, Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) has shared with FEMAIL the foods you don't need to store at cool temperatures after all.

And if you've been keeping your coffee in the fridge, then it's time to take it out and put back in the cupboard.

MELONS

You only need to chill melons once they've been cut. Photo / 123RF

If you've bought a whole melon, there's no need to take up valuable fridge real estate by keeping it chilled.

Whole melons will keep well at room temperature.

It's only when you cut into them that slices should be covered in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge, according to GHI experts.

AVOCADOS

If you want your avocados to ripen, don't store them in the fridge. Photo / 123RF

Avocados can be kept in the fridge, but if you're trying to ripen them, take them out.

The fruit won't ripen any further if kept chilled, so the best way to ensure they reach their full delicious potential is to store them in a brown paper bag in a cupboard.

Store them with a banana too if you want to really speed up the process, as the gas a banana gives off helps quicken the ripening process of other fruits.

COFFEE

Experts say coffee should never be kept chilled as it will absorb the smells of the other foods in your fridge. Photo / 123RF

Where to store coffee is a controversial topic, with some adamant that it belongs in the fridge once it's been opened.

But experts say that coffee should never be kept chilled amongst your other groceries, as it will absorb the smells.

Instead, they recommend you store it in an airtight container in a cupboard to prevent it from going stale.

GARLIC

There's no need to keep garlic chilled. Photo / 123RF

It may be tempting to store your garlic in the fridge because it makes it easier to find, but there's no need to keep it chilled.

It does best in a dry, ventilated area.

TOMATOES

Tomatoes taste much better at room temperature. Photo / 123RF

A key ingredient in many salads, you might think tomatoes belong in the fridge.

But in fact, tomatoes taste better at room temperature and should not be kept chilled at all.

Store them on the counter or the windowsill, and you might find that your tomatoes taste more flavoursome.

They may not last quite as long, but as long as you eat them up in a couple of days after purchase, they should be fine.

BREAD

Keeping bread chilled makes it go stale very quickly. Photo / 123RF

There are some people still storing their bread in the fridge, so GH experts have urged them to stop.

Keeping bread chilled makes it go stale very quickly, so keep it in a dry, cool place.

CAKE

Unless it contains fresh cream, cake does not need to be refrigerated. Photo / 123RF

Unless it contains fresh cream, the delicious cake you've just bought or made does not belong in the fridge.

Keep it in a cool, dark place, like a cake tin, and it will last for three days.

But if you keep it in the fridge, the sponge will go stale in a matter of hours.

ONIONS

Onions will store much better if they are kept in a dry, ventilated area. Photo / 123RF

Much like garlic, onions do not need to be kept chilled.

In fact, they will store much better if they are kept in a dry, ventilated area, according to GHI.

It's also best to keep them somewhere dark, as otherwise they will sprout.