If you’re the type to store almost everything in the fridge to keep it fresh, you may want to reconsider keeping tomatoes on that list.

Research published by Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms that storing tomatoes below 12 degrees celsius inhibits their ability to generate substances that contribute to flavour quality.

Many chefs and food fanatics already know about this kitchen hack. If your tomatoes taste bland, it’s likely because they have been prevented from properly developing due to cold temperatures. Although the practice of cold storage prolongs freshness, this study suggests that storing these fruit in the fridge dramatically reduced levels of critical taste-enhancing genes by as much as 65%.

Researchers recommend leaving your tomatoes on the counter to allow for proper generation of substances that produce their natural flavours. If you want to prolong freshness, leave them in the fridge for no longer than 1-3 days.