"Should it be stored in the fridge or the pantry?" will always stir up lighthearted debate. Bruno Bouchet from Sydney – known as the 'List King'' for his viral social media posts – tweeted his definitive list of which items should be stored in each. Not everyone agreed, but it was a reply from a popular chocolate brand that really left people perplexed: "Chocolate should always be stored in a slightly cool, dry, dark place such as a cupboard at temperature less than 21°C to ensure the quality isn't compromised." But 21°C without refrigeration in Australia..? One commenter took a seasonal approach of 'summer in the fridge, winter in the pantry', but this could be further refined with a regional approach across Australia.
We'll leave chocolate preferences down to you, but it's important to store dairy products, including eggs, in the fridge. For fruits and vegetables, read on...
Internet search data reveals the foods that Australians are most unsure about freezing: cream, avocados, mushrooms, cheese, rice, milk, cooked chicken and ham. You can actually freeze almost any type of food.
It's worth remembering that liquids expand when frozen, so make sure you don't fill the airtight container to the brim. And if the cream or milk already smells like it is past its best, it's too late to freeze it.
Interesting fact: did you know that milk turns yellow when it is frozen? Don't let the colour change put you off!