You may be aware that food spoilage is a natural occurrence, but did you know that one-third of the food produced worldwide each year is lost, spoiled, or wasted?

That equates to about 1.3 billion tons of food. And this is where refrigerators come in handy. Regardless of how important refrigerators are in preserving foods for a longer period of time,

there are some foods that should never be refrigerated. So, here are 35 foods that should never be refrigerated (we’ll also explain why leaving them at room temperature is the best option).

1. Coffee

It is highly recommended to put coffee in an airtight container to ensure that it retains its freshness and quality. Coffee remains fresh in a dry, cool area. Putting coffee in the refrigerator can only make it taste bad.

Even coffee experts highly recommend users to store their coffee at room temperature while keeping it away from heat, moisture, and light. If you have coffee beans, don’t make the mistake of storing them in the fridge.

2. Peanut Butter

Most people make the mistake of putting peanut butter inside the fridge. Unlike jam or jelly, peanut butter tends to dry when it is stored in the fridge for longer periods of time. If you have creamy, spreadable peanut butter, then it is best to keep it in a dark, dry place.

3. Honey

Honey doesn’t go bad (in fact it is recognized as the only food that doesn’t spoil), but it can crystallize if you store it in the fridge. It is best to store it in a cool, dry place because it won’t crystallize. It can easily stay in good condition at room temperature for an indefinite period of time.

4. Chocolate

Most of us like to store our favorite chocolate in the fridge to prevent it from getting soft. However, excessive exposure to too much cold can alter the taste of chocolate.

A process called “sugar bloom” happens when chocolate gets exposed to warmer air once it is taken out of the fridge. It causes a grainy coating to form which changes the taste of the chocolate.

5. Pumpkins

Most people try to preserve their small and medium-sized pumpkins by storing them in the fridge. However, the colder temperature in the fridge can easily damage the pumpkin. If you want to enjoy a pumpkin that has a consistent taste, then the best option for you would be to store it in a cold, dry place.