You've been storing your eggs wrong: Where you should keep them and other groceries

Most fridges have a specially designed rack in the door where you can put your eggs.

But experts have now revealed in a new guide that this is the last place where you should keep your eggs if you want them to stay fresh for longer.

And as for red wine, if you've been keeping opened bottles in the cupboard, then you've been storing them wrong, the Dail Mail reports.

Most of us may put fresh vegetables and fruit in the fridge, but not all of them belong there, according to MuscleFood.com.

Cucumbers, tomatoes and bananas should all be kept on the kitchen counter, while apples and grapes should be kept chilled. 

Here is the ultimate guide to where you should keep your groceries.

EGGS 

Eggs should go in the fridge - but never use the egg rack inside the door. The constant changes in temperature as the door opens and closes will make them go off quicker.

Instead, keep them in the main body of the fridge.

BREAD

Bread should be stored at room temperature, enclosed in a plastic bag. 

Two days after opening, move to the freezer wrapped in plastic freezer bags or foil. 

NEVER store bread in the fridge. This makes the bread go stale quicker.

CUCUMBERS

Never put your cucumbers in the fridge - they could end up with chill injuries, making it watery and mushy and affecting the taste and texture.

For best results, leave on your kitchen worktop. If they start to go soft, you can then move them to the fridge.   

BANANAS 

Bananas never go in the fridge, unless they’re overripe and you want them to last a little longer. 

The best place for them is in a fruit bowl by themselves. Bananas ripen quickly and let off a gas which can cause other fruit to spoil so they're best in a fruit bowl by themselves. 

TOMATOES 

Most of us store tomatoes in the salad drawer of the fridge but if you want them to taste their best, leave on the kitchen worktop. 

If they start to become too soft, move them into the fridge. 

BUTTER

For short-term storage, butter is fine kept in a butter dish on the kitchen counter. 

But if you want to preserve it for longer, it is recommended that you keep it in the fridge. 

If you like smooth butter that’s easily spreadable, a great tip would be to cut small sections off for the butter dish and keep the rest of it in the fridge.

RED WINE 

Although many people prefer to store red wine in the cupboard after opening, it is actually better to keep it in the fridge. 

Storing red wine at warmer temperatures slows down chemical reactions, including oxidation, which is bad for an open bottle.  

CHOCOLATE

Never refrigerate chocolate. Chocolate absorbs odours from the fridge and moisture in the fridge can discolour it. 

Store chocolate in a cool, dry place, away from anywhere that it could melt. 

KETCHUP  

A controversy erupted on Twitter earlier this year about where to keep the condiment, but once opened ketchup should be stored in the fridge. 

Storing it at room temperature can damage the quality of the product. The high acid content means the appearance and texture will begin to deteriorate if not left in the fridge.

MAYONNAISE

Commercially produced mayonnaise should be kept in the fridge. The product contains eggs and cream, which wouldn’t be best to store at room temperature.

JAMS

Jams, marmalade and pickles should also be put in the fridge once opened. Prior to opening, they’re fine in a dark, cool kitchen cupboard.

PEANUT BUTTER AND SOY SAUCE

These can be safely stored in a cupboard even when opened. Peanut butter lasts up to three months and soy sauce three years.

APPLES AND GRAPES

Most of us put them straight in the fruit bowl but apples and grapes should both be left in the fridge. 

Don’t wash them before putting them in – the excess water speeds up the fruit's decomposition.

POTATOES AND ONIONS

Vegetables such as potatoes, onions and winter squash can all be stored in a cool, dry place. 

Shallots and garlic can be left out of the fridge for around two weeks.

CORDIAL 

Despite many people storing cordials and fruit squash in the fridge, they are fine left in the kitchen cupboard. 

Most fruit cordials contain preservatives such as potassium sorbate or sulphites, which are designed to be stored on shelves.

WHERE TO STORE YOUR GROCERIES