Food Storage

The short answer: It depends entirely on ripeness. Unripe avocados ripen best at room temperature. They can also go in the refrigerator to slow the ripening process when you want to delay it. Ripe avocados do not need

The short answer: Yes, and faster than most whole produce you buy. A whole ripe avocado lasts only 1 to 2 days on the counter before becoming overripe. A ripe whole avocado in the refrigerator lasts

The short answer: Unripe tomatoes should never be refrigerated. Cold permanently stops the ripening process and creates a mealy texture that does not recover. Ripe tomatoes do not need refrigeration but can

The short answer: Yes. Whole ripe tomatoes last up to 2 weeks on the counter at room temperature. Unripe tomatoes should never be refrigerated, because cold permanently stops the ripening process. Cut tomatoes last

The short answer: Whole raw potatoes should not be refrigerated. Cold temperatures convert the starch in potatoes to sugar, which changes the flavor and causes problems during cooking, particularly for

The short answer: Yes. Whole potatoes last 3 to 5 weeks in a cool dark pantry, or up to 2 to 3 months in a cold cellar or basement. On a warm kitchen counter they last only 1 to 2 weeks. Cut raw potatoes need

The short answer: It depends on the form. Whole dry bulb onions belong in the pantry, not the refrigerator. The fridge is too humid for whole onions and actually shortens their life by

The short answer: Yes, and the timeline varies significantly depending on the type of onion and how it has been stored. Whole yellow, red, and white onions last 1 to 3 months in a

The short answer: It depends on the form. Whole unpeeled garlic bulbs and individual unpeeled cloves belong in the pantry, not the refrigerator. Cold temperatures trigger sprouting and

The short answer: Yes, and the timeline depends entirely on which form you have. A whole unpeeled bulb lasts 3 to 6 months in a cool dry pantry. Individual unpeeled cloves broken from the

The short answer: Yes, but the spoilage signs are different from most foods because tempeh is a living fermented product. Opened tempeh lasts 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Unopened refrigerated tempeh is

The short answer: It depends on which kind you have. Refrigerated water-packed tofu must stay cold at all times, including before opening. Shelf-stable aseptic tofu in a Tetra Pak carton, brands like