Chances are, if I checked your pantry right now, I'd see at least a few of these items. If you checked mine, you'd see several, LOL!
A group of chefs on Food & Wine got together to share information on items you should never store in the pantry, plus their reason behind it. Check them out!
Nuts- This goes for any type of nuts. They say when your sweaty or damn hands reach into the nuts, the moisture from your hands and from the air will cause the nuts to grow bacteria and they'll go stale. Theysay you should keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge or the freezer.
Syrup- Doesn't room temperature syrup sound much better than cold syrup? Well, celebrity chef Judy Joo says maple syrup can grow mold if it's kept outside the fridge, especially if you buy organic syrup. Gross!
Cold-Pressed Oils- If you have truffle oil or sunflower oil, they'll have a longer shelf life in the fridge.
Chocolate- Please, don't let your chocolate spoil! Executive Chef David Lee says keeping your chocolate in the fridge will help it stay much fresher than at room temperature. Plus, there's nothing better than a cold Snickers!
Cured meats- Things like that big stick of salami or pepperoni should never be kept in the pantry. It's best to keep them cold and even better if you wrap them in butcher paper too! Keeping it in the pantry will dry the meat out, and who wants salami jerky? LOL
Infused Oils- Ones with things like garlic or herbs in it should be kept cold. Celebrity Chef Anne Burrell says that type of olive oil can cantain botulism, that's why it should be kept cold!
Peanut Butter- As you can see from my picture, both of my containers are in the pantry! Well, Anne Burrell also says to keep it in the fridge! The reason is because the oil separation won't happen and you can double the shelf life of your peanut butter in the fridge.
Bread- I know, who wants cold bread, right? Apparently placing your bread in a plastic bag and storing it in the fridge will make it last longer and keep it from growing mold.
Mustard- The condiment can ferment and explode on you if kept at room temperature. This is another item that should be kept cold.
Chocolate Chip Cookies- Unless you're eating the entire tray right out of the oven, keep them in the freezer! No real reason, other than have you ever had one right out of the freezer? Chef Glenn Rolnick of Alicart Restaurant Group says they're the best that way!