If there’s one vegetable we can all stock
up on, it’s potatoes. From classic russet potatoes to sweet potatoes,
these vegetables come in many equally delicious varieties. Apart from
that, potatoes are the ultimate do-it-all vegetable. But we don’t need
to tell you that, you surely have a handful of favorite recipes that
include potatoes already.
Possibly best of all, though, a bag of
potatoes will stay fresh for months - if stored properly, of course. So
you can definitely buy them in bulk and let potatoes be your ultimate
fallback when the fridge is empty but you’ve got dinner to cook. But how
can you prevent potatoes from spoiling in just a week? Follow these
storage tips!
How long can you store potatoes?
Potatoes don’t have a set expiration date.
It is determined by how you store them. A fresh bag of potatoes can be
safely consumed anywhere from several weeks to many months, depending on
the storage conditions. Potatoes stored at higher temperatures (above
55°F or 13°C), for example, tend to spoil more quickly than those kept
in the cold, but more on that later.
How do you know if a potato has gone bad?
It’s usually super easy to determine a potato that’s gone off. On one
hand, spoiled potatoes can develop soft brown spots, and they smell
terrible. On the other hand, overly dry potatoes look wrinkled and feel
soft to the touch. Lastly, green spots or sprouts also indicate that a
potato is past its prime.
How do you choose potatoes at the store?
When you purchase a bag of potatoes at the supermarket or the farmer’s
market, it’s important to pick the freshest ones. If you purchase
potatoes that have already been in questionable storage for months, they
won’t last you more than a few weeks, if that. So the first step of
optimal potato storage actually starts at the store:
Look for tubers that are free of shovel damage, blemishes, signs of
pest damage, and soft spots.
The skin should be firm and plump, with no green coloring.
How do you extend the storage time of
potatoes?
Follow these simple rules, and your potatoes will last you for months.
1. Check potatoes before you put them into storage. Any potatoes with
cuts or any other minimal imperfections should be used up quickly. Only
fresh and healthy-looking potatoes are good for extended storage.
2. Avoid washing potatoes right away. Washing potatoes will make them
spoil faster, so only wash potatoes right before using them.
3. Store potatoes in a basket or netted bag. A plastic bag is the worst
way to store potatoes because it traps moisture and promotes sprouting
or spoiling. In order to keep the potatoes as fresh as possible, keep
them in the netted bag they come in or put them in a well-ventilated
basket or even a paper bag. Air circulation is key for long-term
storage.
4. The cooler and darker, the better.
Potatoes grow in a dark and cold environment, and you should keep them
in the same conditions if your goal is to store them for a long time.
According to The Kitchn, the optimal temperature for storing potatoes is
45-55°F (8-13°C), so an unheated part of your basement or a garage is
usually a good choice.
Warm or humid conditions will make potatoes sprout or go off. But even
if the only place you can store potatoes is in your kitchen, we
recommend that you choose the coldest and darkest location possible. A
pantry or a closet are all good options, as long as they’re not near a
stove or any other heat source.
5. Sort potatoes on a regular basis. Every time you’re cooking with
potatoes, develop the habit of removing the ones that feel soft or
started sprouting. This way, the spoiled potatoes don’t cause a chain
reaction and the rest of the tubers don’t go bad.
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations
6. Never put potatoes in the refrigerator.
Temperatures below 45°F (8°C) will change the molecular structure of
potatoes. Yes, you read that right. The starches in the potatoes will
start transforming into sugars, and the resulting potato will have a
mushy and much-too-sweet taste. So even if your kitchen is way too warm
for perfect storage, avoid putting tubers into the fridge.
7. Don’t mix potatoes with other fruits and vegetables. You may have
heard that it’s good to store potatoes next to onions or apples because
they absorb moisture. This is simply untrue. What’s more, both onions
and apples (along with other fruits like avocados, bananas, and pears)
produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process of all nearby
produce. So don’t be surprised if potatoes start sprouting or going bad
very quickly if you store them next to ethylene-producing fruits and
vegetables. To extend the shelf life of your potatoes, keep them away
from other fresh produce.
That’s all you need to know to extend the shelf life of potatoes! Under
these conditions, your potatoes will last you for several months.
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