Have you noticed how refrigerated tomatoes lose flavor? Cold air stops ripening and reduces flavor. Cold can make their texture mealy.
The fridge and bananas don't get along. They ripen slower in cold weather, and the peel might turn black early.
Potato taste and cooking qualities suffer when starch converts into sugar faster in the fridge. Sweeter and grainier than desired. Instead, store them in a dark, cool pantry.
In a humid fridge, onions can't receive enough air to stay fresh. Additionally, they may make everything smell like onions. They should be kept cool and dry, away from potatoes, which might rot faster.
Garlic, like onions, likes cool, dry, airy places. Refrigeration can promote early sprouting or mold. A dry pantry or garlic keeper on the counter keeps garlic fresh and ready to flavor recipes.
Unripe avocados take awhile to mature in the fridge. Cold slows ripening. Leave them on the counter until they're perfect, then refrigerate to prolong ripeness.
This natural sweetener thickens and crystallizes in the fridge, making it hard to use. Honey's antimicrobial properties keep it safe at room temperature.