Many households love potatoes, whether mashed and roasted, sautéed, or transformed into a tasty salad. To enjoy all the benefits this nutritious vegetable offers, it’s important to store them properly. This will keep them fresher for longer. In this article, we’ll provide you with useful potato storage advice to help maintain your potatoes’ quality, flavour, and freshness. We will also include a special section on baking potatoes.
Selecting Potatoes
Before discussing storage, it is important to begin with the correct potatoes. Keep the following in mind when you buy potatoes:
- Variety: Different types of potatoes are available, each having its own texture and flavour. Pick a variety, such as russets or Yukon Golds that best suits your cooking needs.
- Quality: Potatoes of good quality are those that are smooth, firm and free of sprouts or green spots. These signs might indicate rotting potatoes or poor storage.
- Quantity: Buy only as much potatoes as you can eat in a reasonable time frame. When you buy too many potatoes, they will rot if not used within a reasonable timeframe.
Potato Storage Tips
- Store the Potatoes in Cool, Dark Places: You should store potatoes in cool, dark places, ideally at 45degF (7degC). Avoid direct sunshine, as it may cause potatoes to become green and bitter.
- Use A Ventilated Container: While potatoes can be stored in paper or plastic bags, a breathable container is better. These containers ensure proper airflow, preventing moisture and rot.
- Keep away from Onions: Store potatoes separately. Onions release gasses that can accelerate potato spoilage.
- Avoid Refrigeration: Contrary to common belief, it’s not recommended to refrigerate potatoes. Cold temperatures change the texture and taste of potatoes.
- Remove Sprouts & Damaged Areas: Check for sprouts on your stored potatoes, soft spots and signs of decay. Remove any damaged areas to stop the spread of spoilage.
- Remove from Fruits: Store potatoes away from fruit, especially apples. Fruits emit ethylene gas, which can cause potatoes and other vegetables to spoil.
- Never Wash Potatoes Before Storage: You should only wash potatoes after you store them. An excess of moisture may lead to the growth of mold. Wait to wash them until just before cooking.
- Store your potatoes in the Root Cellar: Root Cellars are an ideal place. The ideal humidity and temperature levels are found in root cellars for long-term potato storage.
- Use a Potato Sack: Consider using a burlap or potato bag if you store many potatoes. These breathable potato sacks provide proper ventilation and help maintain good humidity.
- Rotate stock: Adopt the “first into, first out principle”. Use older potatoes to maintain freshness.
How to Bake a Potatoes?
We’ve already discussed how to store your potatoes, but let’s now explore another way of enjoying them that is simple and delicious – baked potatoes. Here’s an easy step-by-step recipe for how to bake a potato.
Ingredients:
- Russet potatoes (or any baking potato variety)
- Olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper
These potato storage tips will help you enjoy the freshest, most flavorful potatoes for your favourite dishes. Proper storage is essential for storing potatoes, whether you’re experimenting with a more complex recipe or making a baked potato.
