How to properly store potatoes

**bullmama** · 04-28-2015, 06:30 PM

Okay so ..... as I went to cut up a few red potatoes tonight many of them were wrinkly and soft, they aren't bad, but they certainly are not nice and fresh.

I've had them a week so it's expected, normal I guess. I decided to see if maybe I do not store my potatoes properly, and according to this info I am not. I store mine in a large bowl on my counter. Probably too warm, and too bright.

Here is how they should be stored:

Proper Storage

-Store potatoes in a cool, well ventilated place.
-Colder temperatures lower than 50 degrees, such as in the refrigerator, cause a potato’s starch to convert to sugar, resulting in a sweet taste and discoloration when cooked. If you do refrigerate, letting the potato warm gradually to room temperature before cooking can reduce the discoloration.
-Avoid areas that reach high temperatures (beneath the sink or beside large appliances) or receive too much sunlight (on the countertop).
-Perforated plastic bags and paper bags offer the best environment for extending shelf-life
-Keep potatoes out of the light.
-Don’t wash potatoes (or any produce, for that matter) before storing. Dampness promotes early spoilage.

“Green” or sprouting potatoes

-Green on the skin of a potato is the build-up of a chemical called Solanine. It is a natural reaction to the potato being exposed to too much light. Solanine produces a bitter taste and if eaten in large quantity can cause illness.
-If there is slight greening, cut away the green portions of the potato skin before cooking and eating.
-Sprouts are a sign that the potato is trying to grow. Storing potatoes in a cool, dry, dark location that is well ventilated will reduce sprouting.
-Cut the sprouts away before cooking or eating the potato.

**cali baker** · 04-29-2015, 07:53 PM

In the olden days, people would have a "root cellar" and store things like potatoes, carrots and other root vegetables there. Sometimes people store them in their basement. I have a basement but I wouldn't store my potatoes there only b/c it's too much trouble to climb up/down the stairs just to grab the potatoes. It's also kind of scary.

**lhefley** · 05-07-2015, 08:35 AM

When they are green I thought they weren't ready for harvesting. Lol

**orlandobrady** · 07-30-2015, 07:27 AM

This is new, I haven't seen a potato with green skin but thanks as I know now what I should do.

**TraciInTexas** · 08-22-2015, 09:10 AM

I had forgotten that I stashed some potatoes in a dark cupboard... I figured I would check on them, since you reminded me of their storage.

Eek!

Dark and ventilated can only take your storage So Far, apparently.

How to properly store potatoes-imageuploadedbytapatalk1440259747-121688-jpg

**bullmama** · 08-23-2015, 07:56 AM

Ewwwwwww!!!! Omg....

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

**TraciInTexas** · 08-23-2015, 04:16 PM

Yeahhhhhhhh, I think I heard one murmuring to me... Scary!

**Ftse 100** · 10-06-2016, 03:12 AM

I store mine in the fridge only after this I used to store them in the cupboard and one had gone all soft and watery and really stunk could not find where the revolting smell was coming from then I did it took months fit that smell to go after that always been in the fridge and they last ages unlike in the cupboard

**TraciInTexas** · 05-08-2017, 08:30 AM

I gave up and switched to only buying dehydrated potato shreds...

They don't spoil or sprout.

A handful in a mason jar makes them easily transportable or storable. Just add water and let them sit for a few hours or overnight and they're PERFECT!

Auguson Farms sells big cans of potato shreds, dices, or cubes, for relatively cheap, compared with throwing out 90% of them each time I purchase potatoes... Available online or WalMart or Amazon.