Many people are unaware that one food could cause their potatoes to sprout before their time. It’s best to store potatoes somewhere dry and keep them away from certain vegetables.
Now that summer has dawn to a close, many people will be fantasising about preparing their beloved stews, soups or casseroles to keep warm once the chilly weather arrives.
Many of our cherished comfort dishes feature potatoes as a main component, but preventing them from sprouting prematurely can be challenging if you don’t understand proper storage methods.
Karen Lamar, a storage specialist from Organic Cottonmart, has revealed that one of the biggest blunders people make is keeping potatoes on the kitchen worktop alongside certain vegetables.
She explained: “When it comes to long-term storage, onions and potatoes outlast many others. So, why not just store them together in the same place? Well, that might not exactly work because onions release ethylene gas, which causes potatoes to sprout.”
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Potatoes ought to be kept well away from onions, garlic and tomatoes as they emit substantial amounts of ethylene gas, a plant-development hormone which helps produce ripen to achieve a more delicious taste, reports the Express.
Not only will these vegetables trigger potatoes to start sprouting ahead of schedule, but they also contain high water levels, meaning they give off considerable moisture and can lead to potatoes becoming mouldy. Rather, the ideal location to keep potatoes is somewhere dim and arid such as a cabinet or drawer in your kitchen to maintain their freshness for considerably longer.
Karen explained: “It’s a good idea to keep the potatoes as far from sunlight as possible. Too much light can trigger greening, tricking the tubers into producing chlorophyll. Greening makes potatoes bitter and high in solanine – a neurotoxin. Such potatoes are best avoided.”
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“It’s equally important to steer clear of places with high moisture to save your stock from sprouting and rotting. The solution? A dry, dark spot such as your basement, cellar, pantry, or an out-of-the-way kitchen nook,” she added. After you’ve identified the ideal location in your kitchen to maintain potato freshness, they should be removed from any plastic packaging and placed in a ventilated container to ensure adequate air circulation.
Karen explained: “Good ventilation is crucial for keeping your potato stash fresh for longer. Lack of airflow can cause potatoes to accumulate moisture and spoil quickly from the growth of mould and bacteria.”
Keeping potatoes in open paper bags, mesh bags or fabric bags will help safeguard the vegetables and prevent them from going mouldy or developing shoots. When potatoes are stored properly, they can remain fresh for two to three months beyond their usual lifespan, helping you reduce food waste and save money on your weekly shop.