Potatoes are often stored in the fridge or on the kitchen countertop but keeping them stored in the wrong place can make them rot very quickly.
Kira Simpson, an expert and founder of The Green Hub Online, has shared that potatoes will stay “fresh and flavourful for as long as possible” if they are kept away from sunlight and extremely cold temperatures.
She said: “The best place to store your potatoes is in a cool, dark place like the pantry, or any area that is dry and well-ventilated. Sunlight will activate potatoes’ chlorophyll production, which causes them to turn green.
“Ideally, you want to store them a little below room temperature, which is cool enough to slow down sprouting and prevent decay, but not so cold that the starches turn to sugar and make the potatoes taste sweet.”
Many people do not realise that potatoes are a sensitive vegetable due to their high starch content but exposing them to sunlight can cause them to turn green, begin sprouting and produce a compound called solanine, which should not be consumed as it is toxic.
Storing potatoes in the fridge will cause the starch to begin breaking down and turning into sugar, which will not only taste horrible but can make the potato mushy or even mouldy.
However, the most important reason to keep potatoes out of the fridge is that the high sugar content can turn into acylamide during cooking, which is a harmful chemical that may increase the risk of cancer.
Instead, potatoes should be stored somewhere dark at a cool room temperature such as a cupboard, drawer or even a pantry if you have one.
Once you have found the perfect place to keep your potatoes then it is important that they are then taken out of their original plastic packaging and put into something with plenty of ventilation.
Kira explained: “When it comes to storing your potatoes, you have a few options to help extend their life. You can keep them loose in a box or bowl in the pantry, or store them in a paper or cloth bag to allow for air circulation.
“It’s best to avoid plastic bags, as they can trap moisture and cause potatoes to spoil faster. Or you can store them in a basket or crate with plenty of ventilation.
“Whatever you choose, just make sure the potatoes are not crowded together, as this can lead to moisture buildup and spoilage.”
After storing potatoes make sure to keep them far away from onions as these vegetables produce a gas that will make potatoes begin to go mushy.
Kira said: “While these two ingredients might seem like a natural pairing in many dishes, storing them together can actually cause them both to spoil more quickly due to the release of ethylene gas.”
Ethylene gas is a natural plant hormone that causes vegetables and fruit to ripen so they become more flavourful, but if too much ethylene gas is produced it will cause all the fresh produce around it to spoil before its time.
Potatoes should be kept far away from onions, stored in an airy container, and then kept somewhere dark and cool if wish to make them last much longer.
According to Kira, taking the time to follow her “simple tips” can keep potatoes fresh for months instead of only lasting a few days.
