Whether it’s a hand–cooked kettle chip or a tube of Pringles, crisps are a staple snack in most kitchens.
But it turns out you’ve probably been storing your favourite variety in the wrong place this entire time.
Food waste expert Kate Hall claims that crisp packets are best kept in the fridge.
‘There’s no need to refrigerate these to preserve them, but in the hot weather especially, there’s something particularly delicious about a cold crisp!’ she explained.
‘And, if you have lots of open bags leftover from summer get togethers, you can actually help them to last longer by storing them in the freezer for an even cooler snack.’
While this advise sounds unusual, across social media it seems many crisp lovers have already been keeping their crisps in the fridge.
On Reddit, one user said: ‘Been doing this for years. Cheesy Doritos taste much better straight from the fridge.’
Another added: ‘I like crisps in the fridge, especially salt n vinegar. Makes them extra crispy and better tasting.’
Food waste expert Kate Hall claims that crisp packets are best kept in the fridge (stock image)
The crisp fridge debate was sparked on Reddit after one user spotted a colleague putting crisps in the fridge in the office.
‘Crisps. In the Fridge. Hula Hoops to be exact. Does anyone else do this? If so, what are the rest of us missing out on?’ they asked.
Surprisingly, many users replied in support of the fridge method.
‘My grampa used to put his in the freezer,’ one said.
‘Mind you it would be an open bag. He said it stopped them from going stale.
‘And tbh I got quite used to the cool crisps. I forgot all about it until now!’
Another wrote: ‘Cold crispy crunchyness.’
And one explained: ‘Normal crisps, no. Mini cheddars from the fridge are amazing.’
While this advise sounds unusual, across social media it seems many crisp lovers have already been keeping their crisps in the fridge
However, others were baffled at the suggestion.
‘This is an incident for HR,’ one joked, while another added: ‘Time for an all staff email.’
Crisps aren’t the only snacks that belong in the fridge, according to Ms Hall.
She also suggests that nuts, seeds, and certain biscuits should go in there.
‘[Nuts] are naturally rich in unsaturated fats which are prone to oxidation when exposed to light, heat and oxygen,’ Ms Hall said.
‘As the oil oxidises, the nuts become rancid – keeping them in the fridge or freezer can slow this process, especially handy if you buy them in bulk.
‘Just like nuts, seeds such as pumpkin, sunflower and chia are high in healthy fats.
‘Seeds benefit from refrigeration if they’re ground (e.g. milled flaxseed and linseed) as they have more surface area exposed to oxygen, making them oxidise faster than whole seeds.’
With the UK only just through yet another heatwave, any chocolate-covered biscuits and cakes could also do with refrigerating, according to the food waste expert.
She added: ‘These don’t need refrigerating to stay safe, but in the hot weather, they are best stored in the fridge.
‘The cooler temperature gives the chocolate a firmer snap and slows melting – if you try it, you might just find you decide to always give them a home in your fridge.’
