Storing potatoes in the refrigerator can keep them fresh for up to five months, according to tips shared on a homemaking Facebook page. While traditional advice has been to keep them in a cool, dark cupboard, food hygiene specialists now recommend refrigeration to extend shelf life.
Refrigeration extends shelf life
Love Food Hate Waste advises that potatoes "should be kept in the fridge at below five degrees Celsius." They add: "Doing so keeps them fresh for three times as long, so you'll have lots more time to cook up something delicious with them."
One commenter, Carmen Leyva, said: "I always keep mine in the refrigerator. They lasted five months last time." Others echoed this, with Kater Gonzales noting: "I always refrigerate my potatoes as they always sprout whenever I keep them in the cupboards."
Signs of spoilage to watch for
Sprouted potatoes are generally safe to eat if the sprout is removed before cooking. However, potatoes that are soft, shrivelling, or have an unpleasant odour should be discarded. Any potatoes seeping moisture should also be thrown away.
Fresh potatoes should feel firm and have an earthy scent. Black spots or green areas can be cut away before eating, but green patches may indicate spoilage.
