It might seem convenient to pack everything into one pantry shelf, but some foods simply don’t get along. Storing the wrong items side by side can lead to faster spoilage, strange flavors, and food that doesn’t last nearly as long as it should. Certain fruits and vegetables give off gases that cause others to ripen too quickly, while dry goods can attract pests if kept too close together. Knowing which foods need their own space can save you money, reduce waste, and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
Onions and Potatoes
Onions and potatoes might seem like pantry staples that belong together since they’re often used together, but storing them side by side shortens their life span. Onions release gases that cause potatoes to sprout and rot faster, while the moisture from potatoes makes onions soft and moldy. Keep onions in a cool, dry place with plenty of air circulation, and store potatoes separately in a dark, well-ventilated spot to help both last longer.
Bananas and Apples
Bananas release a high amount of ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process for nearby fruits, especially apples. The result is bananas that turn brown too quickly and apples that become soft and mealy. To slow that process down, keep bananas on the counter away from other produce, and store apples in the fridge — they’re better cold and crisp anyway — or in a separate fruit bowl.
Garlic and Onions
It seems natural to keep garlic and onions together, but they actually cause each other to spoil faster. The moisture and gases that onions give off make garlic soft and more likely to sprout early. Garlic keeps best in a dry, well-ventilated area such as a basket or open container, while onions should stay in their own cool, dark space. Separating them helps both stay fresh for weeks instead of days.
Bread and Tomatoes
Bread and tomatoes might work well together in a sandwich, but they don’t belong in the same storage area. Bread absorbs moisture from tomatoes, making it soggy and more likely to mold. At the same time, the ethylene gas from tomatoes makes bread go stale faster. Keep bread in a dry, cool cabinet or bread-saver bag and store tomatoes at room temperature on the counter or in the fridge once they’re fully ripe.
Apples and Oranges
Apples give off ethylene gas, which speeds up the aging process in oranges and other citrus fruits. This leads to oranges that spoil before you expect them to. To avoid this, store apples in a cool drawer in the fridge or a dark pantry, and keep oranges in a separate bowl or fridge compartment. Both will stay fresh longer when they have their own space.
Rice and Flour
Rice and flour might both live in your pantry, but they shouldn’t be stored together. Flour attracts pantry pests like weevils, which can quickly spread to rice if the two are kept near each other. If you’ve ever had a pest infestation in your pantry, you know how much of a pain something like that can be. Keep each ingredient in airtight containers and store them in different sections of your pantry. This separation is key to preventing infestations and keeping grains fresh.
Tomatoes and Cucumbers
Tomatoes emit ethylene gas, which makes cucumbers spoil faster and lose their crisp texture. If you’ve ever noticed cucumbers turning mushy too soon, this is likely why. Store tomatoes at room temperature until they’re ripe, then move them to the fridge. Keep cucumbers in a separate drawer or section of the refrigerator where the temperature stays consistent. Despite tasting delicious together in a salad, they’re not meant for close living quarters.
Coffee Beans and Spices
Coffee beans absorb smells from their surroundings, which is bad news if they’re stored near spices. Strong aromas can seep into the beans and change the flavor of your next brew. Keep coffee beans in a sealed, airtight container away from anything with a strong scent. Spices should also stay sealed in a cool, dark cabinet to maintain their strength and freshness.
Honey and Vinegar
Honey may seem invincible, but it’s sensitive to strong odors. Storing it next to vinegar or other acidic foods can alter its flavor and scent over time. Keep honey tightly sealed and in a cool, dry spot away from anything with a sharp smell. This helps preserve its smooth texture and pure sweetness.
Peanut Butter and Strong-Smelling Foods (like Onions)
Peanut butter can pick up the scent of whatever it’s stored near, especially when it’s close to onions or garlic. Those strong aromas can sneak into the jar and affect the flavor. No one wants to eat a peanut butter, jelly and garlic sandwich. Keep peanut butter sealed tightly and stored in its own cabinet, away from anything with a lingering smell. It’ll stay fresher and taste the way it should every time you open it.
Related:
11 Surprising Foods You Should Never Eat Together
13 of the Weirdest Food Pairings People Love
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
