Foods you should never refrigerate

The latest guidelines produced from the government say

“Storing food safely - potatoes

Uncooked potatoes are best kept somewhere cool and dry, but don't keep them in the fridge. Putting potatoes in the fridge can increase the amount of sugar they contain, and lead to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide when the potatoes are baked, fried or roasted at high temperatures.

What is acrylamide?

Acrylamide is a chemical found in starchy foods that have been cooked at high temperatures. These include crisps, chips, bread and crispbreads. It was first discovered by scientists in Sweden in 2002.

Acrylamide causes cancer in animals and so might also harm people's health.”

So, what else should we never keep in the fridge

1. Bread

Bread dries out and goes stale much more quickly in the fridge, which isn't what you want when you bite into your lunchtime sandwich. Try storing it in a cool, dry place. A bread bin or bread bags would be a good start.

2. Melons

There's nothing like biting into cold melon to cool you down on a hot summer's day, but it is recommended you store yours elsewhere - but only before you cut it. Once you've cut into the melon, wrap it in cling film and put it in the fridge.

3. Bananas

Just bought a bunch of bananas? You might be tempted to stick them straight in the fridge - but wait a few days. Bananas hail from tropical climates and their cells have no natural defence against the cold, if they're green and you refrigerate them straight away, they won't ripen at all. Instead, they'll turn mushy and black as their enzymes break down nutrients.

4. Tomatoes

Whether you like a cherry, plum or salad tomato, you probably put them in the fridge to keep them nice and cold. Surely a cool, crisp tomato in a salad is the best way to go?

Apparently not, refrigerating tomatoes actually damages the membrane inside the fruit, altering the taste and texture. The tomato will lose flavour and will probably taste a bit watery and unripe. Leave it on the counter and it will develop more flavour over a few days.

5. Cake

Cake is good to keep in an airtight container for a few days.

If it's got fresh cream in it, obviously you do need to put it in the fridge.

Otherwise, pop it in a cake tin. It'll taste better if it's not cold.

6. Coffee

If you're in the habit of throwing your coffee jar into the fridge (although we're not sure why you would), then stop immediately. Coffee beans and grounds take in the smells from their surroundings, and you don't want coffee that tastes like stilton. Keep it in an airtight container outside of the fridge.

7. Honey

Honey doesn't go off, so why keep it in the fridge?

At low temperatures it also begins to crystallise, meaning instead of lovely, runny honey you'll have a grainy lump of sugary goop. Leave it out!

8. Onions

Apparently, onions do best in dry, well-ventilated areas.

What's more, if they're in the fridge they could taint the taste of your other groceries. Remember to keep them in a dark place or they'll start sprouting.

9. Garlic

The same goes for garlic. Keep it in a dry, ventilated area

10. Avocado

There's nothing more annoying than an unripe avocado.

Well, keeping it in the fridge isn't going to help. Apparently, the cool temperature hinders the ripening process. Keep them in 'brown open bags' to ripen. Put them next to bananas (also out of the fridge, remember!) if you want them to be ready to eat faster.