Everyone has their preferred variety of potato — from Maris Pipers and King Edwards to Desiree and Rooster potatoes. Being a spud enthusiast is easy, particularly when you realise that one of their greatest advantages is their lengthy shelf life. Indeed, when kept correctly, these reliable tubers can remain fresh for months on end.
Nevertheless, potatoes can still develop shoots too early, particularly if they’re not kept appropriately. Posting on the homemaking Tips Facebook page, one member requested advice on potato storage and received numerous suggestions, with one claiming their technique maintains potato freshness for five months, reports the Express.
Typically, consuming a sprouted potato is acceptable provided you eliminate the shoot before cooking.
However, it’s also wise to examine the potatoes’ general state for mould or green patches, which are definite indicators that they’ve deteriorated.
Potatoes that are mushy, withering, or have an odd odour should be discarded.
You should also dispose of potatoes if they appear to be seeping liquid.
Quality potatoes ought to be solid and have an earthy aroma, though this doesn’t guarantee they’ll always be flawless.
You can remove any dark patches or green sections within a potato and still eat it safely.
Frustrated with her potatoes deteriorating quickly, Sally Keller enquired: “Is there a way to keep potatoes fresh longer? I can’t seem to keep mine fresh for longer than a week.”
Kater Gonzales responded: “I always refrigerate my potatoes as they always sprout whenever I keep them in the cupboards.”
Siabela Mathew remarked: “I put them inside the refrigerator, and they last forever.”
Dayna Newman concurred: “I keep mine in the refrigerator too and never had a problem.”
Carmen Leyva stated, “I always keep mine in the refrigerator. They lasted five months last time.”
Despite numerous recommendations to store potatoes in the fridge, some expressed doubts about the safety of this storage method.
While previous advice suggested storing potatoes in a cool, dry and dark place, such as a cupboard, food hygiene experts now suggest that “they should be kept in the fridge at below five degrees Celsius”, according to Love Food Hate Waste.
They further noted: “Doing so keeps them fresh for three times as long, so you’ll have lots more time to cook up something delicious with them.”
