This expert says these fruits should never go in the fridge

Why shouldn't some fruit go in the fridge?

According to fruit expert Josh Alsberg, some fruits continue to ripen after harvest. Cold stops this process, resulting in unpleasant changes in texture and taste. Here's what happens when you put these fruits in the fridge too soon:

• Bananas turn gray and rubbery, losing their creamy texture.
• Avocados stay hard for several days, then go straight from stone to mush.
• Mangoes become bland and soft, never reaching their sweet, juicy peak.
• Tomatoes lose their natural sweetness, becoming mealy and waterlogged.
• Stone fruits (peaches, plums, apricots, nectarines) soften unevenly and develop a grainy texture.

So how do you store these fruits to preserve their full flavour? Here are our top tips!

How to store fruit correctly?

Here are Josh's recommendations:

Bananas

• Store them at room temperature, hanging from a hook or on a clean surface to avoid bruising.
• Tip: keep them away from other fruits, as they give off ethylene, a gas that accelerates the ripening of neighboring fruits.

Avocados

• Leave unripe avocados at room temperature, away from direct light.
• Once ripe, place them in the refrigerator to slow their degradation and extend their freshness by a few days.

Mangoes

• Keep unripe mangoes at room temperature, away from direct sunlight.
• Once ripe, refrigerate whole or cut and store in an airtight container in a cool place.

Tomatoes

• Place your tomatoes stem-side down on the counter to prevent them from spoiling too quickly.
• Don't crowd them, so they retain their texture and sweet taste.

Stone fruit (Peaches, Plums, Apricots, Nectarines)

• Lay them out without overlapping to avoid bruising.
• Don't put them in the fridge until they're fully ripe, and eat them quickly to avoid losing their texture.

A Final Tip: Separate Some Fruit!

Bananas, avocados and apples emit ethylene, a gas that speeds up the ripening of other fruits. If you want a fruit to ripen faster, place it in a paper bag with a banana or apple. On the other hand, to slow down the process, keep these fruits at a distance from each other.

In Conclusion: Cold ≠ Good Preservation

If you want to enjoy the full taste and texture of your fruit, let it ripen at room temperature and only refrigerate it as a last resort. A simple change of habit can make all the difference to enjoying sweeter, juicier, tastier fruit!

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