A food expert has revealed the 10 foods that everyone stores wrong – here’s how you should be storing them
When it comes to how to store food at home, with so much differing advice, knowing whether it’s best to stash items in the cupboard or fridge can be a challenge.
But now a food expert has taken to TikTok and revealed the foods that are most commonly stored incorrectly – and how they should actually be stored to avoid unnecessary food waste. The expert, who goes by Foods_Insight online, has revealed the 10 most common foods that people store incorrectly.
Herbs
According to Foods_Insight, we’ve all been storing our herbs wrong.
He explains: “Fresh herbs should be trimmed, wrapped in loose paper towels and stored in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the vegetable crisper.” While he recommends keeping dried herbs ‘away from light, air and heat’.
Tomatoes
Another food that’s commonly stored incorrectly, according to the food influencer, is tomatoes. “Store at room temperature away from sunlight to allow ripening,” he suggests. He adds that: “Unripe green tomatoes should be kept stem side down in a pantry until they turn red.”
Garlic and onions
As for garlic and onions, the food expert recommends keeping these in a ‘dry, dark place’. He adds that this should preferably be ‘in an open paper bag, burlap sack, or wired mesh basket’, and recommends keeping garlic and onions out of the fridge.
Potatoes and root vegetables
When it comes to storing potatoes and root vegetables, Foods_Insight says that they’re: “Best kept in a cool dark pantry, not in the fridge.” He also recommends storing unwashed potatoes and vegetables ‘in a perforated brown bag out of light’.
Nuts and grains
While most of us store our nuts in a cupboard, Foods_Insight says it’s best to store nuts in the fridge. He explains: “Store nuts in an airtight container in the fridge,” and says that grains should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place in an airtight container.
Oils and peanut butter
In terms of storing oils and peanut butter, the food influencer suggests that it’s best to: “Store oils in a dark cool place and keep peanut butter in the pantry for up to three months and then refrigerate.”
Maple syrup and honey
Foods_Insight recommends that: “Unopened maple syrup can be stored in the pantry, once opened, refrigerate or freeze.” For storing honey, he explains that it’s best to: “Store honey in a cool dark place in a tightly sealed jar.”
Meat, fish and dairy products
In terms of meat, fish and dairy, the food influencer says it’s best to: “Store raw meats on the lowest shelf of the fridge and avoid defrosting on countertops.” While, you should “Store dairy products and eggs in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door.”
Tropical fruits
For storing fruits, he recommends that it’s best to: “Store mangos, avocados and bananas at room temperature. Refrigerate tropical fruits and berries to delay deterioration.” For keeping fruits fresh when not eating right away, he recommends freezing. He explains: “Berries can be frozen after washing in a water-vinegar solution.”
Coffee and tea
When it comes to storing coffee and tea, it’s best to keep both items in ‘airtight, dark containers’ that should be stored at room temperature. He also adds that it’s a good idea to: “Avoid storing in clear containers or in the refrigerator.” And, for keeping coffee fresh, he adds that it’s fine to: “Freeze coffee beans in small portions if bought in bulk.”
