Potatoes are the UK's most wasted food, with 1,300 tonnes thrown away daily due to premature spoilage. Chef Divya Butani, known online as The Veggie Wifey, has warned that storing potatoes alongside onions accelerates deterioration.
According to Butani, onions release moisture as they age, creating a humid environment that causes potatoes to rot or mould faster. Both vegetables emit moisture, and when stored together, they increase humidity, speeding up spoilage.
Onions also emit ethylene gas, which ripens certain foods but accelerates ageing in potatoes, making them mushy or mouldy. Butani advises storing potatoes separately in a dark, airy place like a cupboard or pantry, away from light to prevent sprouting and solanine production.
Potatoes should not be refrigerated, as cold temperatures convert starches to sugar, affecting taste. Instead, use a breathable container like a basket or paper bag. Properly stored, potatoes can last up to six months.
