Avoid Storing Peppers In The Fridge For A More Flavorful Bite

As is the case with most fruits and vegetables, the flavor of any pepper is affected by the way it's stored. From the moment they're harvested, things like temperature and moisture access play a role in what this vegetable is going to taste like. To get the most out of your pepper's taste, you should avoid storing any peppers in the fridge that you plan to cook within the next few days.

Some recipes can be greatly affected with this method in the best possible way. For example, bell peppers get sweeter as they ripen which combats the normally bitter and somewhat bland flavor associated with this particular pepper. Hot peppers are completely different, though. They actually get hotter when left to ripen longer. Think about making your own hot sauce: You wouldn't want to go through the entire process only to end up with a less than spicy flavor all because the peppers were stored in a fridge. 

Depending on what kind of taste you're trying to accomplish, you might want to consider leaving the peppers out of the crisper drawer next time. Because peppers that you find in stores usually aren't at their ripest stage, they likely haven't reached their peak in terms of flavor, color, and texture. Like the majority of produce available, you're able to stick peppers in the fridge to expand their shelf life for another week or two. The only problem is that, once you expose a pepper to the lower temperature in a refrigerator, the natural ripening process is more or less suppressed. 

If you're looking for the best way to preserve peppers until you're ready to use them, the fridge is helpful in avoiding the classic food storage mistakes. But to get the most out of your pepper's potential, you want to give them that extra time to sit out at a comfortable room temperature. Future recipes involving any number of peppers will be brought to new levels without having to incorporate anything extra. Plus, you don't run as high a risk of forgetting about the peppers altogether, a fate that many fruits and vegetables have met over time.