A Facebook user seeking advice on how to keep potatoes fresh for longer received a flood of suggestions, including one that claims to keep them fresh for up to five months. The tip, shared in response to a query on the Homemaking Tips Facebook page, involves storing potatoes in the refrigerator.
Potatoes are a versatile staple suitable for mashing, roasting, baking, or turning into chips. When stored correctly, they can remain edible for several months, though they may sprout earlier than expected if conditions are not right.
How to Keep Potatoes Fresh
Sprouted potatoes are generally safe to eat provided the sprout is removed before cooking. It is also advisable to inspect potatoes for mould or green patches, which indicate spoilage. Potatoes that feel soft, shrivel, or emit an unpleasant odour should be discarded, as should those seeping moisture.
Fresh potatoes should feel firm and carry an earthy scent, though dark spots or green areas can be cut away before eating. Sally Keller, exasperated by her potatoes spoiling within a week, asked: "Is there a way to keep potatoes fresh longer? I can't seem to keep mine fresh for longer than a week."
Refrigeration Advice
Several commenters recommended refrigeration. Kater Gonzales said: "I always refrigerate my potatoes, as they always sprout whenever I keep them in the cupboards." Siabela Mathew shared: "I put them inside the refrigerator, and they last forever." Dayna Newman agreed: "I keep mine in the refrigerator too and never had a problem." Carmen Leyva revealed: "I always keep mine in the refrigerator. They lasted five months last time."
While many advocated for refrigerating potatoes, some questioned whether this approach was safe. Although previous guidance recommended storing potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark place, food hygiene specialists now advise that "they should be kept in the fridge at below five degrees Celsius," according to Love Food Hate Waste. They added: "Doing so keeps them fresh for three times as long, so you'll have lots more time to cook up something delicious with them."
Britain's foremost potato supplier Albert Bartlett confirmed that "all potatoes should be stored in the fridge for freshness" and noted that refrigerating them can make them last up to three weeks longer than previous storage advice.
