It is commonly accepted that all vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator. If not, why is the bottom drawer called the vegetable drawer? Vegetables store best in the bottom of the refrigerator, but not all vegetables should be stored in a cold environment. Some spoil faster than if stored out of the fridge, which is wasteful. It’s time to separate fact from fiction.

Bananas

Bananas need room temperature for two reasons: Warm temperatures help the fruit finish ripening (in case you pick up any pieces that are still green) and light and air slow down decomposition.

Coffee

Stored in the refrigerator, your coffee is more likely to take on other flavors around it. Instead, store it in an airtight container in the pantry, away from sunlight.

Tomatoes

The counter, not the refrigerator, is the best place for this little summer treat. Cold refrigerator temperatures alter the deliciousness of their texture.

Honey

Have you ever forgotten a jar of honey in the back of the pantry for a very long time? If you hide it in the refrigerator, the process speeds up, and the honey quickly becomes unpleasant. Instead, store it in its original container in a cool, dark place in the pantry.

fresh herbs

The refrigerator starves basil, rosemary, thyme, etc. of their flavor and also dries them out. Instead, put them in a small glass, stem side down, in some room temperature water, and store them on the counter, away from direct sunlight.

Bread

Unless you prefer stale, parched slices on your favorite sandwich, store loaves of bread in the pantry.

Oil

Like honey, vegetable, olive, coconut and other cooking oils solidify quickly in the refrigerator. Instead, keep them on a dark, cool shelf in the pantry.

Melons and watermelons

In the supermarket you will find melon and watermelon and other similar fruits that are not in cold boxes. Use this rule of thumb when tackling food storage issues in the kitchen. For melons, the counter is the best place until you cut them; then store them in the refrigerator.

Lawyer

Very underripe avocados have trouble completing their ripening process in the refrigerator. Leave them on the counter instead (and use them to motivate you to whip up a bowl of guacamole).

Onions

Unless cut, onions should be stored in the pantry. But never store them next to…

Potatoes

which must also be stored at room temperature to retain their texture. These two don’t mix well in the pantry; the gases they give off tend to accelerate deterioration.

Garlic

Again, think about how you buy garlic: off the shelf in the store and remember that when you store it.