Potato storage can be a challenge, but food experts have shared a simple method to keep your spuds fresh for longer. According to food gurus at Foodie, the optimal way to store all potato varieties is in a cardboard box placed in a cool, dark spot. The semi-porous material allows moisture to evaporate, preventing rot, while also protecting the potatoes from light that can turn them green and bitter.
To extend their life even further, experts recommend adding a single apple to the box. Apples release ethylene gas, which, for potatoes, actually suppresses sprouting. This trick can keep potatoes firm and flavourful for up to eight weeks, with minimal sprouting compared to other storage methods.
The experts caution against storing potatoes in humid or damp areas, which encourage sprouting, or in very cold conditions, which can turn starch into sugar and result in overly sweet potatoes. A cardboard box provides the ideal humidity level, thanks to its ability to absorb excess moisture.
Interestingly, the flaps of the box do not need to be fully closed to be effective, though placement should consider ambient temperature and humidity. With this simple storage solution, the question of whether to eat sprouted potatoes becomes far less likely to arise.
