How do you properly organize your refrigerator?
Nutritionist Dr. Malte Rubach, after working in Giessen, San Diego, and Madison, earned his doctorate in coffee research from the Technical University of Munich. His books include "Magic Eating – How to Organize Your Fridge, Change Your Eating Habits, and Live Healthy," published by Knaur MensSana and in Italian by Edizioni il Punto d'Incontro.
"Almost every food lasts longer when kept refrigerated. That's why fresh food, leftovers, already opened and perishable foods like meat, fish or even raw milk cheese always belong in the refrigerator. Shelf life depends on the right temperature. In a refrigerator with so-called static cooling, the temperatures can be set separately for each level, which is why it's best to follow the manufacturer's instructions. In a classic refrigerator with dynamic cooling, on the other hand, it gets colder from top to bottom. Leftovers, spreads, sauces and eggs can be stored at the top. Ripe fruit can also find a place there. Dairy products like cheese and cold cuts go in the middle. At the bottom, on the coldest level, is the space for fresh meat, fish and other perishable foods. Below that is the vegetable compartment, which has a special climate that is neither too cold nor too warm. Drinks and milk go in the door compartments. Even though there is often a compartment for eggs at the top of the door, the temperature there is not always the best if the eggs are not clean.
Generally, food should be packaged in the refrigerator or stored in resealable containers to prevent bacteria and fungi from spreading. This also preserves flavors and prevents them from mixing with other foods.
When refrigerating vegetables and fruit, there are no special rules to follow regarding the ripening process, as it is already slowed down by the refrigeration. Ripe tomatoes, for example, can be kept at their optimal ripeness for a few days longer in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, whereas at room temperature they become overripe and possibly inedible. Unripe tomatoes, on the other hand, will not ripen any further in the refrigerator.
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