Potatoes can now last up to six months by storing them in an usual place in the kitchen, despite previous health warnings advising shoppers to avoid it at all costs.
Potatoes are so versatile, and almost any dish can be made out of them. Whether you’re craving them mashed, wedged, roasted, or boiled, potatoes are a staple in British cuisine.
However, they can also easily go bad before you have the time to consume them. Don’t worry – here’s a simple storage tip on how to avoid it. It doesn’t require a lot of effort!
Potatoes are the foundation of so many comfort foods, from hearty stews to crispy fries, and can be used in virtually any type of dish.
After a quick grocery run, it’s common to leave the potatoes stored in the plastic bags they were packaged in. However, this practice can speed up the process of potatoes sprouting and rotting.
READ MORE: Jamie Oliver’s warning to anyone just about to throw out £2.48 kitchen scrap
Every year, UK households waste around 750,000 tonnes of potatoes because they haven’t been used in time, and therefore, have gone bad. To increase its lifespan for up to six months, they can now be kept in the fridge. Can you believe it?
As reported by the Food Standards Agency’s latest guidance, it’s now recommended that potatoes should be stored in the fridge or in a cool, dry spot. Previously, they advised against storing them in the refrigerator due to health concerns, with studies linking it to acrylamide, a chemical tied to cancer risks.
But now, whenever you go shopping, you’ll be able to see a nifty chilled symbol on the packaging, indicating that they can be stored in the fridge without causing any disruption or affecting your health. The temperature in the fridge should be kept below 5 degrees Celsius.
READ MORE: Arla confirms best place to store milk and it’s not in the fridge door but the back
Just like any other fruit or vegetable, potatoes need enough space to avoid getting bruised. They have to also be separated from other watery produce, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, or spinach. This is because the moisture from these vegetables can cause them to deteriorate faster.
Some of the worst vegetables to store near potatoes are garlic and onions. This is because they release natural gases, like ethylene, which is a plant hormone that acts as a ripening agent, accelerating the sprouting process.
By following this simple storage hack, shoppers can extend the shelf life of potatoes by six months. This method can be especially effective for households that don’t use potatoes quickly or prefer to buy in bulk.
Potatoes that are stored correctly also retain more nutrients, meaning they’ll taste much better and fresher when cooked.