Refrigerating foods keep them fresher for longer, and it improves the taste of the food. Chances are you’ve been putting these foods in the pantry instead of the fridge. These are five foods that should be kept cool.
Natural Peanut Butter
Natural peanut butter is usually just ground-up peanuts with some salt. Since natural peanut butter doesn’t have hydrogenated oils or palm oils added like commercial peanut butter, the oils from the peanuts can separate from the solids. If you plan on keeping your peanut butter for over a month, or if you live in a hot climate, you should refrigerate it.
Nuts
Like natural peanut butter, the oils in nuts can turn sour when they are exposed to heat, so unless you plan on eating them within a month, put them in the freezer.
Oils
If you buy oil in bulk, consider put it in the fridge unless you plan on using them within a month or two. Heat, light, and air break down oil, so don’t keep your oil near your stove.
Whole-Wheat Flour
The wheat germ in whole-wheat flour can go bad quickly, and once it’s opened, make sure you put your whole-wheat flour in the fridge, or freezer it in an air-tight bag.
Butter
Many people leave butter out to make it spreadable, or they keep it in the butter compartment on the door of the fridge. Actually, the best place to store butter is towards the back of your fridge, because when you open and close the refrigerator door you are causing the temperature to rise.
