What Do You Know About Potatoes?
Yes, they are a vegetable. But what else do you know about them?
How Should You Store Potatoes?
For the best results, store them in a cool, dark place. Our ancestors used to store them in a root cellar or a basement. We store ours in the pantry or somewhere that is not warm.
What Happens if You Store Potatoes in the Refrigerator?
They like cool but not necessarily cold. In fact, low temperatures can change the flavor of them. This is because a cold induced sweetening occurs when the starch is converted to reducing sugar. According to experts, this can cause some cancer-causing products to happen when they are cooked.
What Happens if You Store Potatoes in the Light?
When they are exposed to light, it can cause them to produce chlorophyll. This process causes them to turn green prematurely. This is not harmful unless they are stored in bright sunlight for prolonged periods of time.
What Happens if You Store Potatoes in a Plastic Bag?
They like to be dry. It is why they should not be stored in a sealed plastic bag. Moisture can build up in the bag and you run the risk of having fungus and bacteria on them.
What Happens if You Wash Your Potatoes Before You Store Them?
Since they like to be dry, you want to wait to wash them right before you use them.
How Long Should Potatoes Last?
If you store them correctly in cool, dry spots, raw potatoes can stay good for two to three months. If you store them at room temperature, they will probably last a few weeks.
How Do You Know if Your Potatoes Are Good?
Look and feel them. If they are nice and firm, smooth, and relatively free of sprouts they are good to be used. If they are soft, decayed, or discolored in any way, they should be thrown out.
Are the Sprouts on Your Potatoes Bad?
Sprouts are often called eyes. They are telling you the potato is nearing the end of its useable life. They are not harmful. You can remove them by cutting them out or scrubbing them off before you use the potato.
One more fact: If you store your potatoes and onions close together, they will both spoil faster.
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