Why You Should Never Store Stock Cubes in The Refrigerator

The stock cube is a precious ally for flavoring our dishes, which allows us to speed up some particularly long recipes: you can also prepare it at home. We often think that the refrigerator is the ideal place to best preserve food, but when it comes to stock cubes, this thought could lead us astray. Where is it best to store them? Let's find out together why the refrigerator is not the best choice and what is the ideal place to ensure a long shelf life for your stock cube.

Why is it Better to Avoid Putting Stock Cubes In The Fridge

The stock cube, a fundamental ingredient in many recipes, requires proper storage to maintain its flavor intact, whether it is a meat, fish or vegetable stock cube.  Although it may seem intuitive to store the stock cube in the refrigerator to preserve it better, in reality it is not recommended. Here are the main reasons:

• Humidity. The refrigerator is a humid environment: excess humidity can soften the stock cube, altering its consistency and encouraging the formation of mold.
• Odors. The stock cube is very porous and tends to absorb odors present in the refrigerator: this can alter its flavor.
• Temperature changes. We usually put the stock cube in the refrigerator door, which is wrong because in this part it undergoes many temperature changes: this could alter not only its consistency but also its flavor.

Stock cubes are dry and concentrated products, so they do not require low temperatures to be preserved: they are designed to be stored at room temperature, in a cool, dry place.

Where Should You Store Stock Cubes, Instead?

The ideal place to store stock cubes is a kitchen cupboard or, better yet, the pantry, away from heat sources and in a cool, dry environment. Make sure the package is tightly closed to prevent the stock cube from absorbing moisture and odors. Always check the expiration date on the package. Finally, avoid exposing the stock cube to direct sunlight, as this could alter its color and flavor.

Choosing the right stock cube can make a difference in the flavor of your dishes. Here are some tips to help you select the best product:

• Ingredients. Opt for stock cubes with few ingredients, preferably natural and recognizable. Avoid those with long lists of additives, colorants and preservatives.
• Salt.  Salt is a key ingredient in stock cubes, but try to choose products with a moderate sodium content.
• Monosodium glutamate. This flavor enhancer is often found in industrial stock cubes: if you prefer to avoid it, read the label carefully.
• Fats. Choose nuts with good quality fats, such as olive oil; avoid those with hydrogenated fats.