Whether it’s when you’re planning a Sunday roast, or tucking into a humble baked potato for lunch, time and again we are reaching into our fridges for the popular vegetable.
But, unfortunately, we are often met with the frustrating sight of them going soft with roots starting to sprout out, leaving us with no other option than to take a trip to the bin.
However, new advice has stunningly suggested that there could be a way to preserve the delicious food for a whole year before it shows signs of spoiling.
While people often face a race against time to ensure they manage to polish off all the potatoes in their fridge before they spoil, one new method for preserving the veg might lead to less pressure.
YouTuber Tracy Tips believes that a simple four stage method means we could keep the raw veg fresh and ready to eat for as long as a year after purchase.
First of all, Tracy says that we need a cardboard box, then we need to add dry paper, such as kitchen roll, to the bottom of the box. Completing this step means that any “excess moisture is absorbed”, as well as stopping the potato’s skin from getting scratched.
The second step involves stacking the potatoes on top of one another with a piece of kitchen roll in between, then it’s time to “sprinkle a layer of baking powder over the surface of the potatoes”.
Explaining the logic in adding the cooking ingredient, she explained: “Using baking soda helps absorb moisture effectively and limits sprouting.”
After the box is full, she said that we must then add another layer of tissue paper, and then close the lid and find a place away from direct sunlight and humidity to store the vegetables until it’s time to eat them.
While Tracy shared her advice for making sure that potatoes last longer, their shelf life can vary singificantly depending on how they are kept, with it largely depending on whether they are cooked or not.
According to Healthline, uncooked potatoes can last between one week and a few months, while, once frozen, cooked potatoes can last for up to a year.
There are some tell-tale signs that a raw potato has gone past its best, with them usually becoming soft to the touch.
Meanwhile, it’s easy to tell when the vegetable is still at its best, as it should be hard with tight skin, and without any singnifcant markings or bruises.