It may seem like common sense to store your potatoes in a cupboard or a storage bin after unpacking your shopping, but there is a simpler way to keep them fresher for longer.
Luke Willcox, an expert from Seasonal Spuds, has shared that contrary to popular belief, potatoes are best kept in the fridge to stop food waste.
It was previously believed that the optimal place to store potatoes was out of the fridge and somewhere dry and cool, but potatoes will actually last longer if kept in the fridge at a temperature of below 5 Celcius.
Luke said: “Official guidance from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has advised that the best way to store potatoes is in the fridge.
“Storing them in the fridge helps them last more than three times as long as storing at room temperature, whilst also reducing food waste.”
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Luke added: “In previous years, The Food Standards Agency (FSA) had advised against storing potatoes in the fridge due the possibility of the cold affecting the natural sugars over time which could then lead to the formation of acrylamide upon roasting or frying at high temperatures.”
Acrylamide is a chemical which has the potational to cause cancers, which is why it was previously advised to keep potatoes out of the fridge.
However, new research has shown that storing potatoes in the fridge does not increase the chances of acrylamide and it is perfectly safe to do so.
On the FSA website, it states: “A recent study, which has been reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has shown that home storage of potatoes in the fridge doesn’t materially increase acrylamide forming potential when compared to storage in a cool, dark place.”
To reduce the risk of acrylamide at home, the FSA advises always following the cooking instructions of the pack when cooking starchy foods like roast potatoes and aiming for starchy foods to be “a golden yellow colour or lighter” when cooking them at home.
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The key to keeping potatoes fresh is keeping them away from moisture and sunlight with plenty of airflow, so they can be kept in a cupboard or storage bin but for best results will keep fresher in the fridge.
Luke said: “Potatoes should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place, as exposing them to light can cause greening and moisture can lead to rot.
“Keep your potatoes in a net, paper bag or cotton bag with good air circulation to keep them fresher for longer.”
Keeping potatoes in the fridge will not only keep them fresher but help you save a little bit of money on your food shop.
Luke said: “We’re all looking for more ways to cut food waste, use up all our ingredients and make meals go further to save money.
“Storing your ingredients correctly to keep them in good condition means potentially spending less of your hard-earned cash replacing past-it produce.”
