5 Fruits You Should Never Refrigerate, According to an Expert

[elleng]

Keeping them at room temperature helps them stay fresh longer.

According to Josh Alsberg, owner of Rubinette Produce Market in Portland, Oregon, some fruits are better left out of the fridge. "Many fruits, such as stone fruit, melons, pears, persimmons, and tomatoes (yes, tomatoes are a fruit!), continue ripening after they’re harvested and are often sold slightly under-ripe," he explains. Stashing them in the fridge too soon could mean dull flavors, mealy textures, and missed opportunities for peak sweetness.

The worst offenders? Bananas, avocados, mangoes, tomatoes, and stone fruit do best when left at room temperature.

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/never-refrigerate-these-fruits-expert-11687994?

(Going to farm stand tomorrow, for fresh STRAWBERRIES!!!)

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I have an exception to that rule

Homegrown tomatoes need refrigeration IMO. Especially toward the end of the season when tomatoes may decide to ripen all at once.

[Kali]

2. Also depends on house temperatures

Warm kitchen = leaky rotten fruit quite fast.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Tomatoes For Sure

Flavor compounds like 2-isobutylthiazole, 2-hexenal, and some ketone get bitter, or worse, don't stimulate the taste buds as well at lower temperature.
So, tomatoes taste way better at room temperature than cold, and the "tomato flavor" (the first compound mentioned above firm in abundance near or at full ripeness.
Refrigerating them virtually guarantees a tomato that doesn't taste right.

[2naSalit]

4. I have found...

Last edited Thu May 15, 2025, 05:49 PM - Edit history (1)

That avocados, once at near ripe, will keep for several days if refrigerated before or after opening them. Also, running then under cold water, after opening, extends their freshness whether chilled or not.

I once was sure that chilling them ruined them but one of my siblings, who lives in SoCal, proved me wrong. I was glad to learn about it so I could get the most out of my very expensive avocados.

[hvn_nbr_2]

5. I've found similar with bananas

Once they're ripe, refrigerating them extends their life. The skins turn ugly dark and look pretty awful but you don't eat the skins.