Natural Elements Potato Bag with Blackout Lining, Potato Storage Bag, Hessian, 24 x 24 cm, Brown

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Put the potatoes on a sheet of newspaper in a dark place – it’s important they don’t touch, as air needs to circulate between the spuds. Leave your potatoes here for a couple of weeks. If the skin starts to sag, the flesh feels squidgy (or is even wet to touch) this is a surefire sign these potatoes are long past their best. The best plug-in device for maintaining the ideal potato storage temperature of 45°F (7°C) is a beverage cooler, of which there are several small models that might be useful if you are critically low on cold storage space. You also can use a wine cooler set at its lowest setting, which is usually around 52°F (11°C). Studies show that vibrantly colored varieties contain much larger amounts of antioxidants than traditional white potatoes ( 30). Summary

In fact, one study found that storing potatoes in cool temperatures more than quadrupled their shelf life, compared to storing them at room temperature ( 3). I have often used deep holes dug in the garden for temporary potato storage, but it is not a long-term solution because the potatoes tend to develop skin issues that are rare when potatoes are kept in dry storage. I tried storing potatoes in a buried garbage can, which should have worked but did not. The potatoes inside stayed too damp and went gooey, which could have been due to many factors, including my own mistakes. Specialized Refrigeration When stored between 43–50°F (6–10°C), raw potatoes will keep for many months without spoiling ( 3). You may also consider trying some of the more exotic potato varieties, such as those with blue or purple flesh.Reducing sugars can form carcinogenic substances, known as acrylamides, when fried or exposed to very high cooking temperatures, so it’s best to keep levels low ( 11, 12). Potatoes must be kept in a cool dark place, otherwise the light will cause them to photosynthesize and – you guessed it – sprout. Plus, the temperature must be below 10°C. So, if you want your spuds to stay in tip-top condition, we recommend popping them in a paper bag and stashing them away in a dark place of your choosing: a porch cupboard or garden shed are all great options, and there’s always the fridge (if you’ve got the space). How to keep potatoes from sprouting

This temperature range is slightly warmer than refrigeration and can be found in cool cellars, basements, garages or sheds.Storing potatoes in these conditions can help delay the formation of sprouts on the skin, one of the first signs of spoilage. Zero Waste. These potato storage bags are made out of eco-friendly materials that are also durable. You can wear them without any fear of damaging your health because they have a zipper that goes all the way to the top. The zipper does not open directly on the bag but goes through the material and into the middle of the bag and then out of the bag again. It’s important not to wash the potatoes, as this adds moisture that can encourage them to sprout. Instead, get rid of most of the dirt by brushing it off.

Potatoes go green when exposed to light. The green bit contains toxins, so is not safe to eat: however, if you ensure it’s thoroughly removed before cooking, the rest of the spud is edible. Research showed that potatoes stored in cool temperatures maintained up to 90% of their vitamin C content for four months, while those stored in warmer room temperatures lost almost 20% of their vitamin C after one month ( 3, 4). A fresh potato smells like the ground it’s grown in, but a potato that’s gone bad will smell mouldy and musty. How to use leftover potatoes When exposed to freezing temperatures, the water inside potatoes expands and forms crystals that break down the cell wall structures. This makes them mushy and unusable when defrosted ( 13). It’s okay to freeze them once they are fully or partially cooked, as the cooking process deactivates the browning enzymes and prevents them from discoloring ( 15). Summary

Indoor Potato Storage

Solanine creates a bitter taste and causes a burning sensation in the mouths or throats of people who are sensitive to it ( 6).