Fresh potatoes from the market or grocery shop can be kept for several months if properly preserved. However, it’s equally simple to make food storage blunders with potatoes that cause them to spoil. Please continue reading for advice on properly storing potatoes and determining whether they are past their prime.
There are many different ways to store potatoes. You may want to keep them in the refrigerator, a garage, or a cool place. However, there are some important things to keep in mind when storing your potatoes.
What are Potatoes?
Potatoes are the tubers (giant subterranean storage stems) of the Andean nightshade plant Solanum tuberosum, which has been domesticated for nearly 8,000 years. The potato plant, related to tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, also produces flowers, leaves, and venomous berries.
Harvesting mature potatoes involve destroying the plant’s above-ground portion and burying them for a few weeks to thicken their skins. A common starch that may be kept at room temperature in your house for regular use is potato starch. But there are several ways to stop them from deteriorating quickly.
Where to Store Potatoes?
You should prepare your stored potatoes to last if you recently purchased a big bag of potatoes from the grocery store to use over a few months. Here are some suggestions for storing potatoes to keep them tasty for months.
Please keep them in the Dark Place.
Potatoes are best kept in a dry, dark location, such as a kitchen cabinet or drawer, a root cellar, or an unheated basement. Ensure your storage area is also well-ventilated and out of the way of the sun. A temperature of about 50 degrees Fahrenheit is excellent for storage.
Promote Enough Ventilation
Potatoes should be kept in an airtight container with good ventilation, such as a mesh bag, paper bag, cardboard box, or wire basket. They can also be stored in a bowl on the countertop away from direct sunlight and kept at room temperature. Never put potatoes in a plastic bag or another airtight container because doing so will cause the potatoes to become stale. The air and gas trapped inside will encourage bacterial growth.
Please keep them in a Cool, Dry Place.
Although they should be maintained at room temperature, raw potatoes prefer cool temperatures. In addition to not extending the shelf life of your potatoes, the cold can convert the starches in your potatoes into sugars, which promotes sprouting.
Away from Other Vegetables in the Refrigerator
Apples, bananas, and onions are just a few examples of fruits and vegetables that release ethylene gas, accelerating the ripening of neighboring produce. Keep potatoes away from these fruits and vegetables when storing them for a long time to prolong their shelf life.
Put your Potatoes in Freezer
Instead of merely keeping your potatoes, you may freeze them to preserve them so that you can cook with them for up to a year. Before doing that, you must first cook and peel your potatoes. Simply put cut-up potatoes to a boil in a pot of water and cook until almost done to make cooked potatoes that can be frozen.
Drain your potatoes and place them in an ice bath to stop the cooking process. Potatoes should be drained once more, then patted dry to remove any remaining moisture. Put your potatoes in the freezer for twelve hours in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with parchment paper. Once the potatoes are completely frozen, please place them in a large freezer bag and squish as much air as possible.
How to Properly Freeze Potatoes?
While freezing whole or cubed potatoes is not difficult, a few easy steps must be taken.
Peel. It would be a good idea to cube your potatoes now if you anticipate mashing them once they have thawed. Although not necessary, this step is beneficial because blanching functions best without the skin.
Blanch. Add salt to a kettle of water before filling it. Turn the heat up to high and bring the saucepan to a boil. Put the potatoes in the water once it has boiled. Blanching times range from three minutes for baby potatoes or little cubes to ten minutes for big russets, depending on the size of your potatoes or potato pieces. Potatoes should be taken out of the boiling water and immediately plunged into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Dry. Once the potatoes have completely cooled, draine place them in a co drain. Put them on a kitchen towel in a single layer after they have dried. Paper towels can be patted to remove extra wetness.
They are frozen in time. Place the potatoes on a cookie sheet with parchment paper in a single layer. Freeze for up to overnight or at least for four hours.
Freeze. After the potatoes have been frozen, move them to freezer-safe storage bags with the date written on them.
How to Thaw Frozen Potatoes?
In the Refrigerator
The potatoes can be defrosted in the refrigerator. It is the most effective and practical way to thaw potatoes. This is the approach you need if you are an excellent planner and like to think ahead. Frozen potatoes should be removed from the freezer. Good!
Take a bowl now that can hold all of the potatoes. Let them thaw by putting that bowl in the fridge. All you have to do is that.
In the Microwave
The tasty potatoes can be microwaved to thaw. Frozen potatoes should be removed from the freezer. Now put them on a platter that can be used in a microwave. Nice! Your microwave’s defrost setting should be selected. Choose this approach if your guests are arriving soon and you have a lot of preparations to make.
Just sing your favorite song and wait for the microwave to ding. You’re all set! The potato crop is ready for utilization. A great source of fiber is potatoes. They aid in proper digestion and help you avoid constipation. They make your skin sparkle and eliminate dark spots is one of the most astonishing advantages. What a beautiful thing! Enjoy!
In the Water
The potatoes can be thawed in water. This method is perfect for you if your home doesn’t have a microwave. Keep in mind that you must use cold water. Take the potatoes you wish to defrost out of the freezer first.
You must now wash them with cold water. You can do it by using your greatest kitchen faucet. It won’t require much time.
How to Identify Potatoes are Gone Bad?
It’s mushy and soft: A entire, uncooked potato should feel solid. A potato that is musky has probably gone bad.
A potato should have tight skin that is spotless. Dark patches can be seen on the shriveled skin. Throw away your potato if it appears wrinkled and has bruises or black spots.
There are obvious mold indications: Mold should never be exposed. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), mold may cause illness. And you can’t just take it off since the potato may have other areas where unseen spores are forming.
It has a horrible odor. The fragrance of raw potatoes should be earthy. They likely start to decay or mold if they are smelly. Yuck!
It is green. You don’t want the exterior of your potato to be green. The University of Idaho claims that when potatoes are exposed to light, they naturally turn green. Chlorophyll, which gives plants their green color, is usually safe to consume, but solanine levels typically rise as a potato turns green. Solanine can be dangerous if consumed in sufficient quantities.
Sprouts are present: It’s time to throw out your potato if it has sprouted. Potatoes produce more glycoalkaloid chemicals as they begin to sprout. Consuming enough glycoalkaloid might result in tummy pain and even vomiting and diarrhea. The National Poison Center suggests tossing potatoes that have grown sprouts.
What are the Side Effects of Consuming Spoiled Potatoes?
Large quantities of potatoes are frequently purchased and kept for a long time. However, one should exercise caution because overcooked potatoes can poison the body. They sag and get wrinkled and mushy when left uncooked for an extended period. Additionally, when they are exposed to sunlight throughout the process, it may hasten the formation of solanine, making them even more dangerous for you.
When potato sprouts, people frequently worry whether they should keep using it or toss it away. Sprouts contain significant amounts of solanine and chaconine, two toxic glycoalkaloids to the neurological system. When the variety is organic and not chemically treated, sprouting occurs much more fast.
Potato sprouting can occur in two circumstances: while the potatoes are still solid and when they become mushy or wrinkled. When sprouts appear on a firm potato, it is simple to remove them, preserving the majority of the potato’s nutritional content. However, it is preferable to toss the potato away if it has wrinkled.
Reference: In vitro evaluation of dehydration tolerance in AtDREB1A transgenic potatoes
The rotary liquid culture and PEG created a unique in vitro technique. Enhancing oxygen diffusion into the medium and minimizing root injury or damage during plant transfer minimizes the negative consequences of hypoxia and osmotic penetration. Seven of the transgenic lines outperformed the non-transgenic line when it came to dehydration tolerance when we tested the dehydration tolerance of twelve transgenic potato lines in the current study.
Conclusion
Whether growing your potatoes or purchasing them from the grocery store, it’s important to learn how to store them properly. Potatoes need good airflow and a storage container with holes that allow moisture to escape. Storing them improperly can result in rotting and sprouting.
The best place to store potatoes is in a cool, dark, and dry location. You should also ensure they’re stored away from onions, bananas, and other fruits and vegetables. If you’re storing potatoes for a long time, consider using a crate or a cardboard box. Some people recommend a root cellar for storage, but you can also store potatoes in your basement or garage. Just make sure the room is insulated and dark.
