Potato Storage Hacks: How To Keep Them Fresh Longer?

Potatoes, a versatile ingredient, are perfect for many meals. If you want to make delicious meals, potatoes are the perfect ingredient. When not stored correctly, potatoes have a very short shelf life. Improperly stored potatoes will sprout, shrivel, and spoil. This means food is wasted and money is wasted.

Following these storage tips, you can keep your potatoes in perfect shape, fresh and different ways to cook potatoes.

1. Keep Potatoes In A Cool And Dark Place

Potatoes should be stored in a dry, dark, and cool area away from sunlight. Potatoes can turn green in sunlight, and these spots can contain solanine. Solanine is a natural toxin, but in large amounts, it can be dangerous.

Best Storage Places:

• Pantry: Potatoes should be stored in a pantry or cupboard away from heat-producing sources like ovens, stoves, and fridges. An ideal temperature range is between 45°F and 50°F (7 °C and 10 °C).
• Cellar: If you own a root cellar or a basement, they are the perfect places to store potatoes. The dark and cool environment is ideal all year.

If you store potatoes in your fridge, ensure the temperature is above 40degF. (40degC). This can cause starch to be converted into sugar and taste unpleasant.

2. Use A Ventilated Storage Container

Keep potatoes fresh by ensuring that they are well-ventilated. Lack of ventilation may accumulate moisture, which can breed mold or cause rot. Always store potatoes inside a well-ventilated container to allow the air around them to circulate.

Storage Containers:

• Paper bags: Store potatoes in paper bags to keep them dry and ventilated. Leave the top part of the bag unzipped to allow for air circulation.
• Wire Bins Mesh Baskets: These are excellent for potato storage. They let air flow in from all angles and reduce moisture build-up.
• Crates made of wood: To store potatoes in large quantities, you should use ventilated crates.

Never store potatoes in plastic bags. They can trap moisture, causing them to sprout or decay.

3. Separate Potatoes From Onions

Even though it’s common for people to store their potatoes and onions together, this can be a very bad idea. Onions can cause potatoes to sprout faster, so keep them apart. Potatoes require their area for ventilation to keep them fresh.

4. Don’t Wash Potatoes Before Storing

You may find it tempting to clean potatoes before storage, but this can make them spoil quickly. The soil protects the potatoes by acting as a barrier. Just wash the potatoes when you are about to cook them.

5. Remove Any Damaged Potatoes Immediately

Check regularly to see if your potatoes show signs of damage. Removing potatoes that show signs of rot can ruin a whole batch. You should use any bruised or damaged potatoes to avoid throwing them away.

6. Store Potatoes Away From Apples And Other Fruits

This gas can accelerate the sprouting process of potatoes. Fruits like apples emit ethylene gas, which helps them ripen more quickly. Store your potatoes separately from apples or other fruits to help keep them fresh for longer.

7. Freezing Potatoes For Long-Term Storage

You can freeze potatoes to store them longer. However, they must first be prepared to ensure their flavor and texture are preserved. You should not freeze raw potatoes, as this can change their texture.

8. Check For Sprouting Regularly

Sprouts in potatoes are not necessarily harmful, but they must be removed before cooking because they contain a substance called solanine. If the potato has only a few tiny sprouts and is otherwise firm, removing the sprouts and eating the whole potato is fine. If the potato becomes soft or wrinkled, tossing it is best.

Conclusion

It is possible to cook potatoes in several different ways. It’s possible to make potatoes in many different ways. The right storage will ensure you always have freshly-canned potatoes at your fingertips. Following these simple potato hacks, such as keeping them in cool, dark places, ensuring airflow, and removing the damaged ones, you can increase their shelf-life while reducing waste. Following these simple storage tips, you can enjoy your russets for weeks or days.

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