From bananas to tomatoes, canned corn to fresh vegetables. We put everything in the fridge, but is it really ideal for these products? Some goods need to be stored in the fridge, but others need to be kept at room temperature. You also need to pay attention to the fruit and vegetables you store next to each other. Here are a few tips to help you keep your fruit and vegetables fresh for as long as possible.
What vegetables should be kept in the fridge?
Most vegetables can be stored in a cool place. Many deteriorate rapidly if stored at temperatures above 10°C.
For example, vegetables such as cauliflower, chicory, broccoli, mushrooms, leeks, spinach, carrots and all types of lettuce.
Wrapped in a damp cloth, fresh asparagus also appreciates the cold.
You’ve bought pre-cut vegetables to make a wok or soup? Store them in the fridge to keep them as fresh as possible for as long as possible.
List: these vegetables can be kept in the fridge
- cauliflower
- chicory
- broccoli
- mushrooms
- leeks
- spinach
- carrots
- lettuce
- asparagus
- pre-cut vegetables
Which vegetables should be stored at room temperature?
Contrary to popular belief, not all vegetables can be kept in the fridge. The fridge even alters the taste of some of them, as they don’t stand up well to the cold and spoil more quickly. Vegetables such as aubergines, avocados and peppers keep better out of the fridge.
Many of us store cucumbers in the fridge, but be aware that they can dry out. Better to keep them outside, as they don’t like the cold either. Store them in a cool place or at room temperature. However, make sure you keep them away from bananas, tomatoes and melons. These foods release ethylene, a substance to which cucumbers are sensitive and which gives them a bitter taste.
In theory, onions are alive. That’s why it’s best to keep them in a cool, dry place. Spring onions can also be kept out of the fridge.
Tomatoes are also sensitive to cold as it makes them soft. Keep them at room temperature. One exception: very ripe tomatoes. Put them in the fridge to stop them from spoiling.
Chillies belong to the same crops as potatoes and tomatoes, and are essential to our favourite recipes. In the supermarket, you’ll usually find them in the refrigerated section, but the cold doesn’t really suit them, so it’s best to keep them at room temperature.
List: these vegetables are best kept out of the fridge
- aubergine
- avocados
- potatoes
- peppers
- cucumbers
- tomatoes
- onions
- chillies
What fruit should be kept in the fridge?
Soft fruit such as strawberries, raspberries and blackberries keep better in the fridge.
Apples also prefer fresh environments. Set aside a place for them in the vegetable crisper of your fridge. However, make sure you don’t store any other fruit there, as apples can quickly spoil.
Pears also keep longer in the fridge, so you can easily store them for up to three weeks. Not quite ripe yet? Put them in your fruit basket.
List: these fruits are best kept in the refrigerator
- strawberries
- raspberries
- blackberries
- apples
- pears
What fruit should be kept out of the fridge?
Like some vegetables, many fruits do not tolerate cold very well. This is particularly true of tropical fruit, which should be kept out of the fridge. These include pineapple, kiwi, mango, peaches, plums and melon.
Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, limes and lemons can also be stored at room temperature. This means they retain all their flavour and aroma, making them an ideal addition to your recipes.
Bananas are not used to the cold, so it’s best to store them outside the fridge. Warning: do not store bananas next to tomatoes or apples, as these produce secretions that can cause bananas to spoil more quickly.
Melons keep longer out of the fridge.
List: these fruits are best kept out of the refrigerator
- pineapple
- kiwi
- mangoes
- peaches
- plums
- melons
- oranges
- pampelmousse
- limes
- yellow lemons
- bananas
Always fresh with AEG
Store food with precision thanks to AEG. Our fridges are designed to store food intelligently thanks to temperature and humidity sensors and compartments dedicated to the type of food. This preserves vitamins as well as nutrients and minimises waste, creating a positive impact on what we eat.
Refrigerate down to 0°C with LongFresh
The individually adjustable LongFresh refrigeration compartment creates a dedicated environment for sensitive products, offering a chilled zone at 0°C that preserves meat, fish and fresh foods.
Food protected in every corner of the fridge with 360° Cooling
Have the freedom to store food in any corner, protecting its quality at the most stable temperature and humidity in the whole fridge. The advanced air circulation in the rear wall actively distributes cold air to every corner.
Preserve up to 95% of vitamins with GreenZone
The hermetically sealed GreenZone drawer actively maintains the right humidity for fruit and vegetables. The airtight seal protects produce from wilting and losing valuable minerals.
TwinTech No Frost keeps food up to 60% juicier and less dry
Advanced dual cooling technology and independent air circulation ensure that dry, frozen air from the freezer isn’t used to cool the fridge like in standard no-frost fridges. And the complete frost-free freezer means you’ll never have to defrost again.
Up to 20% less food waste
Temperature changes caused by opening the door or placing hot food in the fridge have negative effects and damage food. ColdSense reactive sensors quickly adjust the temperature after any fluctuation, cooling 40% faster than standard fridges, reducing stress and damage to food.
User interface for the ECO programme for smarter choices
The intuitive control indicates the level of energy consumption according to the settings selected and gently guides you towards a more responsible and economical choice. Make better choices for the environment, without compromising on protecting food quality.
