Autumn is now here and many people will be getting their cookbooks out to make their favourite hearty dishes such as stews or soups to keep warm during the cold weather.
One of the staple ingredients in most comfort food recipes is potatoes, and stopping them from expiring before their time can be difficult if you do not know how to properly store them.
Liana Green, a cooking expert and founder of Lianas Kitchen has shared that one major mistake most people make is storing potatoes in their supermarket packaging.
She said: “If you bought your potatoes from the store, never keep them in the original plastic bag that they came in.
“Spuds should never be kept in plastic containers, especially sealed ones that trap humidity inside.”
The key to keeping potatoes fresh and sprouting-free for longer is to keep them away from moisture and make sure they have plenty of ventilation so humidity cannot build up.
However, it is also important to not store potatoes on the kitchen counter as exposure to sunlight can lead to an increase in solanine in the vegetable, a toxic compound often used against pests.
Liana said: “Exposure to light causes them to turn green, making them bitter and quite toxic. So make sure those taters are kept in complete darkness.”
Instead, the best place to keep potatoes is in a dry, dark and cool place such as a kitchen cupboard, drawer or even a pantry if you have one.
Make sure potatoes are kept away from most appliances in the kitchen such as the oven, air fryer or microwave as too much heat will also cause them to begin rotting before their time.
Liana said: “A warm, moist environment encourages sprouting, so make sure your chosen storage area has temperatures ranging from five to 10 degrees Celsius.”
It is also important to never store potatoes in the fridge, as cold temperatures will cause the starch inside the potatoes to break down into sugars which will cause them to taste overly sweet and become mealy in texture.
Once you have found the perfect place to keep potatoes then store potatoes then take them out of the supermarket packing and keep them in an open container that has plenty of airflow.
Liana said: “A paper bag, hessian (burlap) sack, wooden crate, cardboard box and a bushel or wicker basket are ideal because they provide good ventilation.”
If potatoes are stored properly in a dark, dry and cool place then they can keep fresh for several months so can cut down on food waste and save a little bit more money during this cosy time of the year.
Liana said: “The good news is, raw potatoes can be stored for many weeks outside the refrigerator. Some varieties remain shelf-stable for as long as eight to nine months.”
