Refrigerators once were a box with a block of ice that allowed food to last longer and reduced the time it took for bacteria to grow. In order to prevent the bacteria from growing the refrigerator must maintain a temperature below 40 degrees. This is because bacteria grow the most between 40 degrees and 140 degrees. Here are some foods you shouldn’t refrigerate:

1. Eggplant
The eggplant does not need to be stored in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within two days. You will want to find a place that is cool and dark so that they do not shrivel up. If you plan on eating it more than two days from now then you will need to know how to store it properly. Each eggplant will need to be wrapped in a paper towel and placed in a reusable container or perforated plastic bag. This will allow the vegetable to be stored for up to seven days.

2. Butter
Butter has been around for thousands of years. When it comes to butter, you will want to store butter in a covered dish for up to a few days. This will allow you to use it with ease. Butter is mostly made up of oil and oil does not spoil. You can store the butter in the refrigerator. Taking out only what you think you will use throughout the next few days.

3. Soy Sauce
This is the world’s oldest condiment. It has been used for more than 2,500 years. Soy sauce can be stored at room temperature for up to six months because of its high salt content. Salt has been used throughout time to preserve food before the refrigerator was invented.

4. Peaches
Peaches that are placed in the refrigerator will not have the ability to fully ripen. And this may cause them to spoil before you are able to enjoy them. Storing them on the counter is not only safe but preferred so that they can be eaten when ready. This allows natural light to ripen them like they would if they were still on the tree. This process usually takes between three and four days.

5. Honey
Since honey is eighty percent sugar and twenty percent water, there has been no benefit shown when you store honey in the refrigerator. When the honey reaches a certain temperature it will crystallize and solidify. In order to allow the honey to be used, you will have to allow the honey to warm up. So putting honey in the refrigerator will make it so that it takes longer to use. Honey can last for around two years. Unless it is sealed, then it can last for lifetimes.

6. Tomato
When you place a tomato in a refrigerator it causes the membranes to become damaged. The tomatoes will then become watery and mealy. And this will make it so the flavor will change. Fresh tomatoes can be stored for around a week. If they are canned then they can last up to eighteen months.