TikTok influencer Stephanie Booth Home revealed her top tip to keep potatoes “fresh a lot longer” than they would normally last.
Potatoes may sprout within the week if you leave them in the bag you bought at the supermarket.
“Don’t store them in a plastic bag,” Stephanie advised. “It traps in moisture, and moisture causes potatoes to grow eyes.”
Store potatoes correctly by making sure there is “good air circulation” to prevent one rotting and causing the whole lot to go bad.
Stephanie strongly recommended storing potatoes in a wicker-like basket that provides good air flow.
Alternative storage methods could include a paper bag with the top left open or a mesh bag.
The importance here is air flow to help prevent potatoes from sprouting prematurely in your home.
When stored in a wicker-like basket, for example, they need to be placed in the dark away from natural and artificial light.
Exposure to light encourages the production of chlorophyll, said Stephanie, which she said turns potatoes green.
“And don’t store these [potatoes] in the refrigerator,” said Stephanie. “It causes the starches to turn into reducing sugars.”
Stephanie added: “Instead, store them at [6C to 10c]… [and] store them away from garlic, onions and shallots, or any other type of fruit and vegetable that emits ethylene gas.”
Being stored next to fruits and vegetables that release ethylene gas will cause the potatoes to go bad much sooner.
“And one last tip,” said Stephanie. “Don’t store your potatoes in a cabinet next to your stove.” She explained: “It’s too hot.”
Stephanie’s top tips for storing potatoes
- Use a wicker-like basket
- Put the basket in a dark, cool area
- Make sure it’s not the cabinet next to the stove
“I hope these tips help,” said Stephanie, who has gathered around 6000 likes on the social media channel.
Black Crown posted: “Wow. I learned a lot. Thank you.” Cynthia Maasch shared: “Now that explains why my taters go bad. I have been leaving them in the bag.”
Mary Anne Demo said: “Love this kind of stuff, it’s probably something that I should know already, but just don’t think about it. Thanks for sharing!”
