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The climate in Nigeria can get very hot and humid and this weather usually takes a toll on a variety of things we own – especially perishable food. As result, Nigerians have learnt to depend these heat-reactive items in the refrigerator.
While the refrigerator has since proven to be a convenient place for storing all kinds of commodities, there are items that do not respond well to lower temperature as contrary to popular belief, they are better off preserved in warmer climes. You probably know some of these already, however, Jovago.com, Africa’s No. 1 online hotel booking portal has selected the 8 most common things Nigerians need to stop refrigerating.
Alcohol
Hard liquor is much more enjoyable when chilled or infused with crushed ice, however it is not to be stored or kept in a refrigerator. Like batteries, alcohol is best stored at room temperature, that way the flavor and taste remains intact when served.
Batteries
Refrigerating batteries – phone, camera or regular AA batteries- is a common practice in Nigeria, especially when the battery overheats or looks like it is about to melt. Unfortunately, just as extreme heat and moisture can do damage to a battery, so also extreme cold can diminish their performance. To preserve the battery, it is better to stash it in a drawer at room temperature.
Bread
A staple food here in Nigeria, most people tend to store bread in fridges. Unfortunately, the cool temperature has an adverse effect on the bread as it dries it out quickly and so becomes incredibly tough and extra chewy. It also speeds up the rate of decomposition, making the bread go stale much quicker. The only time it is okay to store bread in the fridge is if it is in sandwich format, and even then, it should be properly wrapped so it retains its moisture.
Citrus fruits
The general notion is that fruits are best stored in refrigerators to keep them fresh, however, this is not entirely true. Citrus fruits including lemons, limes and oranges tend to suffer from ‘chill damage’ and as such, a cold temperature is unfavorable. Refrigeration can often transform them to dry, tasteless fruits with dull skins and dark spots so its best to preserve them in a wicker basket on tables or shelves.
Soft Vegetables
No doubt, soft vegetables including basil, lettuce, parsley and other herbs, are highly perishable. However, refrigerating as a method of preservation does more harm than good. Aside from the fact that they tend to absorb the smells of other items around them, ruining their original flavor, veggies also go dry in the refrigerator quicker and become waste. If you must put them in the fridge, it is advisable to wrap them up tightly or put them in air-tight containers before storage.
Nail Polish
Most high-flying women in major cities like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt are of the impression that heat, especially from direct sunlight, can damage the nail polish, causing the formula to thin or separate within the bottle. However, refrigeration is not the solution. The only thing it does to the nail polish is thicken it and change the chemical constituent, almost the same thing heat does as well. It is preferable to store it in room temperature and when it expires, discard it and get a new one.
Honey
Honey may be a natural resource as it is gotten directly from bees, however, it is not perishable. A 100 year old jar of honey will still be as good, fresh and tasty as one day old jar. Honey is a natural preservative and the cold temperature turns the honey paste into a dough-like form, making it hard for consumers to scoop it out.
