Potatoes can be kept fresh for up to five months by storing them in the refrigerator, according to advice shared on social media and endorsed by food waste experts. The tip comes as many households struggle with potatoes sprouting or spoiling within a week.
On the Homemaking Tips Facebook page, user Sally Keller asked for advice on keeping potatoes fresh longer. Several respondents recommended refrigeration. Carmen Leyva claimed: "I always keep mine in the refrigerator. They lasted five months last time." Others, including Kater Gonzales and Dayna Newman, reported similar success with fridge storage.
While traditional advice suggests storing potatoes in a cool, dark cupboard, food hygiene experts at Love Food Hate Waste now advise keeping them in the fridge at below 5°C. They state that this method keeps potatoes fresh for three times as long as cupboard storage.
Potatoes that have sprouted are generally safe to eat if the sprout is removed, but any potatoes that are soft, wrinkled, mouldy, green, or leaking liquid should be discarded. Quality potatoes should feel firm and have an earthy smell.
