Everyday Meals

Best place to store potatoes to extend their lifespan is the spot people avoid

Potatoes are a staple in most homes so ideally you want to make them last as long as possible before they go off.

While you likely store them in the pantry alongside other veggies, there might be a slightly more practical place to keep them for longevity.

Major supermarket Tesco provided some advice on how potatoes should be stored. The fridge might be your best bet for both convenience and sense.

Tesco’s advice read: “Your spuds need air circulation, so donā€™t suffocate them in a plastic bag. Theyā€™re best kept in a mesh or paper bag.

“Itā€™s also crucial that potatoes are stored away from other fresh produce, particularly onions, as they release ethylene gas. This means that your fruits and veggies will ripen one another too quickly, so your potatoes should be stored separately to stop this.

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“Potatoes must be kept in a cool dark place, otherwise the light will cause them to photosynthesize and ā€“ you guessed it ā€“ sprout.

“Plus, the temperature must be below 10Ā°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 thereā€™s always the fridge (if youā€™ve got the space).”

Your potatoes have gone bad if they have turned green, developed soft patches or have a smelly odour. Tesco has provided some advice on this.

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The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has also provided guidance on how people should be storing their potatoes.

Answering the question, “Can you store potatoes in the fridge” the FSA said: “Yes, if you wish to help avoid food waste, you can choose to store potatoes either in the fridge or in a cool, dark, dry place.

“A recent study, which has been reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has shown that home storage of potatoes in the fridge doesnā€™t materially increase acrylamide forming sugars, known as cold sweetening, when compared to storage in a cool, dark place.”

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