Lots of people eat potatoes, as they form a staple part of many people’s diets. After all, they can be eaten in so many ways and topped with so many delicious coatings and flavours – there is so much to love about the humble potato.
The only issue is, when it comes to storing them, this can be a little bit trickier. As much as we can love to eat them, they are known for turning bad and sprouting pretty quickly but, according to one woman, a simple food storage hack can make all the difference when it comes to keeping your spuds fresh.
Amiyrah Martin, who’s known for sharing recipes online, recently posted a simple trick that will help to keep your potatoes in good shape, and all you need is a common fruit.
According to Amiyrah, you don’t need to worry about stacking up on potatoes if you put an apple in with them. She said: “When you have your potatoes, first of all, make sure they’re in a container where you can like – it’s aerated – so this one has holes in it.
“But, also, put an apple in with your potatoes. Just one. You don’t have to go crazy. I have different potatoes and it’s keeping all of them from sprouting, and even the apple is fine.”
The video has been viewed thousands of times since it’s been shared and people were quick to comment too. One said: “My mum taught me how to store food, but lately I have been noticing potatoes go bad so fast. Anyone else?”
Another added: “Thank you. I keep buying bags of potatoes and think I’m storing them right and they keep sprouting. Will try the apple thing next time.”
A third replied: “This works well. Placed half potatoes in largest colander, put one apple in and then rest on top. Potatoes last over two months longer than normal. Check on apple and replace it if it becomes shriveled.”
Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “Thank you so much. I don’t buy potatoes because I’m always so worried they are going to go bad. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Others were also keen to find out more about how the trick works. It turns out there’s actually a little science behind it.
How do apples keep potatoes fresh?
Little you may know, apples can help keep potatoes fresh. This is because storing potatoes with an apple can help them stay fresh for longer and put off sprouting.
Apples release ethylene gas, which helps to prevent sprouting in potatoes. By reducing sprouting, the potatoes can stay firmer and fresher for a longer amount of time.
To make the most of your potatoes, you should also keep them in a cool, dark and dry place with good ventilation. Experts generally advise people to avoid putting them in the fridge.
This is because cold temperatures can convert their starches to sugar, which can lead to impacting the flavour and texture of the spuds. Storing them in the pantry or basement are good options.
They should also ideally be kept in paper or mesh bags or baskets to enable air circulation. Plastic bags, in contrast, trap moisture, so these should be avoided.
