A clever storage trick using fruit could help extend the shelf-life of your potatoes and prevent them from sprouting, according to a TikTok content creator.
Potatoes with green spots or sprouts may contain toxins, leading many to discard them if these areas can’t be removed.
As a general guideline, spuds should be kept away from moisture and sunlight to avoid wrinkling.
They need good ventilation and will last longer when stored in a dry, dark container like an open basket.
A video shared by Leen (@leen.bd) on TikTok, has claimed that storing potatoes with an apple can also prevent their roots from sprouting.
It is believed that apples can delay sprout development and prolong the shelf-life of potatoes due to the gases they release.
The key is ethylene gas, a substance naturally produced by apples that plays a crucial role in their ripening process.
Research published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology has shown that ethylene slows down carbohydrate metabolism and increases the respiration rate of potatoes, thereby extending their freshness. However, this trick only works for potatoes.
Storing apples with other fruits can actually accelerate their ripening process, often causing them to spoil before they can be eaten.
This has sparked intense debates about the benefits of ethylene gas for food storage.
Fans were quick to praise the content creator’s hack in the comments, with one fan exclaiming: “Known since about one year. Changed my life! It works!”
For those who are already dealing with sprouted potatoes, you may be wondering if they are safe to eat.
Though it may not look appetising, the sprouting process in potatoes can be beneficial as it leads to the growth of new potatoes. However, most store-bought potatoes have likely been treated with growth retardants to prevent sprouting.
In terms of safety, it is generally considered safe to consume sprouted potatoes.
However, there is a risk of toxicity from solanine and chaconine, two natural toxins found in green and sprouted potatoes.
As explained on Poison Control’s website: “Both solanine and chaconine cause toxicity through cell disruption leading to gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
“Some people may also experience headache, flushing, confusion and fever.”
