When we get home from the grocery store, it's tempting to put just about everything in the fridge. After all, keeping food cold is supposed to help it last longer, right? Well, not always.

Some of our favorite foods lose their flavor in the cold, while others undergo changes in texture that make them less enjoyable. And a few pantry staples don't need refrigeration at all.

Before you start rearranging your shelves, here are 10 foods that will be happier elsewhere.

1. Avocados

If you’ve ever waited impatiently for an avocado to ripen, you’ll know that timing is everything. Unripe avocados need room-temperature conditions to soften properly. 

Putting them in the fridge too early can slow the process, leaving you waiting even longer for that guacamole. Keep them on the counter until they're ripe, then refrigerate them if you’d like a little extra time.

2. Tomatoes

A beautiful, ripe tomato deserves better than becoming a bland addition to your sandwich. Cold temperatures can affect the texture and flavor of tomatoes, especially when they're still ripening.

Keep whole tomatoes at room temperature until they’re ripe. Like avocados, if they're already ripe and you don’t want to use them yet, refrigeration can help prevent spoilage. 

Just bring them back to room temperature before serving.

3. Coffee

If your coffee beans have been living next to the milk carton, it might be time to find them a new home.

Coffee can absorb moisture and surrounding odors, neither of which is particularly welcome in a morning cup. Store beans or grounds in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard or pantry.

4. Winter Squash

That beautiful butternut squash doesn't need to occupy half your vegetable drawer. Whole winter squash prefers a cool, dry, well-ventilated storage space, and refrigerators can be too cold for long-term storage.

Again, a cupboard or pantry usually works well. Once you've cut the squash, though, refrigerate the remaining pieces.

5. Bread

If your loaf seems to go stale too fast, your fridge might be part of the problem. Cold refrigerator temperatures accelerate the changes in the starch that cause it to become firm and stale.

Keep your bread at room temperature for short-term use, or freeze it if you want it to last longer. In hot or humid conditions, refrigeration may help prevent mold, although the bread will lose some of its softness.

6. Potatoes

Potatoes don't need your refrigerator drawer, but they do appreciate a little attention to their surroundings. Store them in a cool, dark, dry place with good ventilation. 

Like your bread, refrigeration can change the balance of the starches and sugars, affecting potatoes’ flavor and ability to brown during cooking. Keep them away from direct sunlight, as well, which can encourage greening.

7. Honey

Honey has been keeping perfectly well in cupboards for generations, and there's no reason to give it valuable refrigerator space. And its naturally low moisture content helps prevent microbial growth when it's stored properly.

Refrigeration also encourages crystallization, which can turn smooth honey into a thick and grainy substance. Keep it tightly sealed at room temperature, instead.

8. Peanut Butter

Here's one that depends on the jar. Regular commercial peanut butter generally doesn't need to be refrigerated after opening, provided the label says room-temperature storage is acceptable.

Natural peanut butter is another story. Varieties without stabilizers may separate or become rancid sooner, so refrigeration is often recommended after opening.

The simplest rule? Check the label before deciding where your peanut butter belongs.

9. Fresh Basil

If you’ve ever put fresh basil in the refrigerator, you probably noticed that the leaves became dark and wilted a day or two later. Basil is sensitive to the cold, and the refrigerator can damage its delicate leaves.

For freshly cut basil, trim the stems and place them in a small glass of water on the counter, away from direct sunlight. Just be sure to change the water regularly and use it while it's fresh.

10. Garlic

Whole garlic bulbs are perfectly happy to sit outside the refrigerator, provided we give them the right conditions. A cool, dry, well-ventilated cupboard will help your garlic maintain its quality. Refrigeration can encourage sprouting once the garlic returns to warmer temperatures.

Keep whole bulbs in a mesh bag or ventilated basket, rather than a sealed plastic container. Peeled or chopped garlic, however, should be refrigerated promptly. And homemade garlic stored in oil requires special food safety precautions because of the risk of botulism.

Give Your Fridge a Little Breathing Room

Of course, food safety always comes first. Cut produce, prepared foods, and anything that requires refrigeration should be stored according to the package instructions and food safety guidelines.

But, plenty of everyday groceries are perfectly content in a cupboard or out on the kitchen counter. And, if moving a few things out of the refrigerator means we can finally find the mustard hiding at the back, that's something worth celebrating.

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