They’re a staple of every kitchen cupboard, but if you turn your back on potatoes for just a short while, they can end up looking like a prop from an Alien movie, sprouting hellishly as well as being a risk to your health.
There’s so much conflicting information about whether potatoes are good or bad for you, and how they should be stored to keep them fresh for longer. For years, it was considered bad practice to store potatoes in the fridge, for fears the starch in them would transform and make them unhealthier. But this is no longer considered to be the case.
One storage hack which can help to keep the humble spud edible for much longer involves using apples. Apples, when stored alongside potatoes, can actually help prevent potatoes turning bad, thanks to a unique relationship between the naturally occurring chemicals in each of the plants.
According to waste management experts the Wheeldon Brothers, this simple change can instantly reduce the amount of food you end up wasting because apples produce ethylene gas, which slows potatoes from ripening.
They said: “It’s an easy way to reduce waste and make your groceries last.
“Ethylene gas helps regulate the ripening process, which can slow sprouting in potatoes.”
It is now considered safe to store potatoes in the fridge, too.
They added: “Refrigerating potatoes can keep them fresh up to three times longer.
“Earlier concerns about acrylamide formation have been debunked – modern research shows that fridge storage is safe.”
But because potatoes are bred from the dangerous nightshade family, if you do try to eat them when they’re going off, it can be very bad for you.
Wheeldon Brothers added: “Sprouted or green potatoes should not be eaten.
“To keep your potatoes in top condition, store them properly and check them often for any signs of spoilage.”
