Storing potatoes with an apple can help prevent sprouting and keep them fresher for longer, according to waste management specialists at Wheeldon Brothers. The simple trick uses a fruit many people already have in their kitchens.
How the apple trick works
The specialists said: "Storing potatoes with an apple helps prevent sprouting and keeps them fresher for longer. It's an easy way to reduce waste and make your groceries last."
The reason comes down to ethylene, a gas naturally produced by apples as they ripen. The experts explained: "Ethylene gas helps regulate the ripening process, which can slow sprouting in potatoes."
Storage conditions matter
Where you keep your potatoes matters, too. Getting the storage conditions right can make the difference between potatoes lasting for weeks and finding a bag of soft, sprouting ones at the back of the kitchen.
It's also worth taking them out of plastic packaging, as bags can trap moisture and encourage them to spoil more quickly. Checking them every so often is also important.
The specialists said: "It's important to regularly check potatoes for sprouting or green patches, as these can contain harmful toxins."
Fridge advice updated
Advice around keeping potatoes in the fridge has also changed over the years. Previous concerns centred around acrylamide, a chemical which can form when certain starchy foods are cooked at high temperatures.
However, current Food Standards Agency advice says potatoes can be stored either in the fridge or somewhere cool, dark and dry. Refrigerating them can also help extend their shelf life.
So rather than leaving a bag of potatoes forgotten in a warm kitchen cupboard, changing where they're kept and placing an apple alongside them could help keep them usable for much longer. And with potatoes used in everything from chips and mash to roast dinners, making a bag last longer could also mean less food ending up in the bin.
