Buzz
Potatoes, a highly adaptable vegetable, can remain fresh for weeks or even months, depending on their variety and size, provided they are stored under the right conditions. Tuan Tran/Getty ImagesMany of us have experienced buying a bag of potatoes, tossing them into the fridge's vegetable drawer, and completely forgetting about them until they start sprouting, turning soft, and becoming inedible months later. Despite their lengthy shelf life, potatoes will eventually spoil if not consumed in time.
Just like other vegetables, proper storage is crucial to prevent spoilage and avoid potential health risks associated with potatoes. Below are some quick tips to help extend the freshness of your potatoes.
1. Keep 'em out of the light
Ensure your potatoes are stored in a cool, dark environment; a pantry is an excellent choice.
For optimal storage, maintain your potatoes in a temperature range of 43 to 50 degrees F (6 to 10 degrees C). This temperature prevents sprouting (a clear indicator of spoilage) and can significantly extend the shelf life of your potatoes.
2. Forget the refrigerator
While the fridge might seem like an obvious choice, it can have adverse effects. Storing potatoes in a refrigerator or freezer raises their sugar content, which can result in the formation of acrylamide, a harmful chemical, during cooking.
3. Separate them from onions
Although potatoes and onions complement each other in cooking, they should not be stored together. The gases released by produce like onions, tomatoes, and bananas accelerate ripening, causing potatoes to sprout. Sprouted potatoes are still edible if you remove the sprouts by cutting or peeling them.
Helpful tip: To prevent spoilage, try storing potatoes alongside apples. Apples emit ethylene gas, which helps delay sprouting.
4. Give them a cure
An age-old method called "curing" can prolong the shelf life of potatoes by several months. This technique is most effective with thick-skinned varieties like russets and works best in a root cellar. After removing excess dirt, place your potatoes in a well-ventilated space with moderate temperatures and high humidity for around ten days. This process hardens the skin and reduces the respiratory rate of the tubers, extending their freshness.
