Storing food properly is extremely important if you want to avoid getting sick, as everyone is well aware. We instinctively store almost all food in the refrigerator, but you know some foods, even some really counterintuitive ones, are actually better kept outside of the refrigerator? Here are a few things you can keep in the pantry.
Melons
If you want to get the best flavor of melons, such as watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew, keep them on the counter. Keeping these fruits at room temperature might even maximize the number of antioxidants they provide.
Avocados
Avocados should only be kept in the fridge if they reach the peak of their ripeness and you want to extend their shelf life. But in general, you’ll get the best flavor if you let them ripen at room temperature.
Soy Sauce and Hot Sauce
Your fridge door doesn’t have to be cluttered up with condiments. Soy Sauce, fish sauce, and hot sauce won’t spoil if you keep them in the pantry.
Salted Butter
Butter has low water content and often contains pasteurized milk. These factors reduce the risk of bacterial growth. A few days’ worths of salted butter can safely be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Unsalted butter, on the other hand, should stay in the fridge.
