Potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients to have in your kitchen as they can be served in a variety of different ways.
Whether you like them boiled, roasted, mashed, baked or fried, they serve as an excellent side dish to most meals, and as an added bonus, they have a pretty long shelf life too. Raw, uncooked potatoes can last for up to three months in the right conditions, so it really pays to store them properly once you get them home from the supermarket. If placed in a warm and slightly moist environment, this can encourage potatoes to start sprouting, impacting their flavour and turning them slightly bitter. To avoid this problem and keep your potatoes fresher for longer without sprouting, storage experts recommend storing them inside a paper bag.
Paper bags provide a cool, dark and dry environment that allows airflow and prevents moisture from building, which can cause potatoes to spoil quickly.
Potatoes are often sold in plastic bags in most supermarkets but it’s best to empty this once you get home and transfer them into a paper bag instead.
This is because plastic bags can trap moisture as they don’t allow for proper air circulation, so as this moisture builds up it can create a damp environment that promotes spoilage and sprouting.
Fine Dining Lovers says: “If your potatoes come in a plastic bag, don’t be tempted to keep them sealed inside for freshness.
“In fact, plastic bags can trap moisture, creating a damp environment where the potatoes are likely to spoil more quickly, so your best bet is to take them out and store them somewhere else. A paper bag, a small hessian sack or a basket are all good options that allow plenty of air circulation.”
Once you’ve transferred the potatoes into a breathable bag or basket, this should then be placed in a cool, dark and dry place like the pantry or a cupboard, away from onions and other fruits that release ethylene gas, as this can accelerate sprouting.
Potatoes start to sprout when they’re exposed to warmth and light, so by keeping them in a place that’s cool and dry you can effectively slow down the sprouting process.
Tesco adds: “Your spuds need air circulation, so don’t suffocate them in a plastic bag. They’re best kept in a mesh or paper bag. It’s also crucial that potatoes are stored away from other fresh produce, particularly onions, as they release ethylene gas. This means that your fruits and veggies will ripen one another too quickly, so your potatoes should be stored separately to stop this.
“Potatoes must be kept in a cool dark place, otherwise the light will cause them to photosynthesize and – you guessed it – sprout. Plus, the temperature must be below 10°C.
“So, if you want your spuds to stay in tip-top condition, we recommend popping them in a paper bag and stashing them away in a dark place of your choosing: a porch cupboard or garden shed are all great options, and there’s always the fridge (if you’ve got the space).”