Potatoes are the most common vegetable found in kitchens after the holidays, but many people unknowingly store them incorrectly, shortening their shelf life.
Vegetables are often stored together to save room, but Tiffany, a cook and founder of Imperfectly Happy, has explained that potatoes need to always be kept away from onions.
Tiffany said: “It’s important not to store onions and potatoes together. Potatoes release moisture and gases that can cause onions to spoil faster. Always store these two vegetables separately for best results.”
Onions also release ethylene gas, a natural plant-growing hormone that speeds up ripening and makes food more flavourful but also accelerates spoilage in certain other vegetables.
Instead, ensure your potatoes stay fresh for longer by storing them in a basket far away from onions and then keeping them somewhere cool.
Potatoes need to be kept somewhere that is not too cold as it will turn the starches inside them into sugars, which will cause them to become grainy.
However, potatoes need to also be kept away from heat as it will cause them to lose moisture, which will promote rot and cause them to become rubbery.
The ideal solution is to keep potatoes at room temperature in a cupboard, drawer or even a butler pantry in your kitchen as they also need to be kept away from light.
Too much light can cause potatoes to begin to produce chlorophyll, which will cause them to turn green, begin sprouting as well as have an extremely bitter taste.
It may seem like there is a lot potatoes need to be protected from to be stored properly but it is easy to keep them fresh as long as you keep them cool, dark and dry.
Tiffany said: “Moisture is your enemy when storing potatoes. Store them in a dry environment and avoid washing them before storage.
If the potatoes are dirty, gently brush off the dirt, but never rinse them until you’re ready to use them.”
Potatoes should be kept away from onions and other ethylene-producing foods but can be stored with most other vegetables such as carrots, beets, and turnips.
Once you have the perfect spot in your kitchen to store potatoes then keep them in an open container so there is no chance of moisture build up.
Tiffany said: “Proper air circulation is critical to prevent mould or rot. Store potatoes in a burlap sack, mesh bag, or a basket that allows air to flow freely. Avoid storing them in plastic bags, which trap moisture and accelerate spoilage.”
When potatoes are stored properly they can stay fresh for months rather than lasting a few weeks so you will know your cupboard is fully stocked so you do not have to worry about them rotting or turning mushy before their time.
