Potatoes will begin spoiling before their time if you store them in the wrong place in the kitchen (Image: Getty)
Potatoes are at the top of most people’s shopping lists, but many people do not realise they are storing them incorrectly. It may seem obvious to keep all your together, but this can greatly shorten your potatoes’ shelf life and make them start rotting.
Anthony, an expert from , has shared that storing potatoes and onions together is always a major mistake. He said: “Though potatoes and onions often appear in the same recipes, storing them together can lead to faster spoilage.
:
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Potatoes and onions should never be stored together as it causes them both to begin spoiling quickly (Image: Getty)
“Both of these root vegetables contain a lot of moisture and, when combined, produce ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening process. Keep them apart in a well-ventilated area to maintain their long shelf life.”
Ethylene gas is a natural hormone that vegetables release into the air to begin ripening. It helps make them much more flavourful.
However, when certain vegetables are stored together, such as potatoes and onions, it can release too much ethylene into the environment and cause them to begin spoiling quickly before their time.
Potatoes are known for releasing a lot of moisture, so they need to be kept in a kitchen spot that is not too cold or hot to control the humidity levels.
Make sure to keep potatoes away from windows as sunlight can cause them to begin producing solanine, a toxic compound which causes them to turn green and taste awful.
Potatoes also need to be kept away from heat sources like ovens or cooking appliances like microwaves and air fryers, as the heat will cause them to go soft and begin rotting.
The best way to store potatoes is somewhere dark and cool in an airy container like a basket (Image: Getty)
Anthony explained: “Even after being harvested, potatoes continue to ‘breathe’ and live on your shelves. As oxygen combines with the sugars in potatoes, carbon dioxide and water are released through respiration. Storing potatoes in a cool, dark place significantly slows down decomposition, prevents sprouting, and to some extent, sweetens the tubers.”
The key to keeping potatoes fresh is to store them somewhere airy at room temperature in a dark place like a cupboard, drawer or kitchen pantry.
Once you have found a good spot to store them, make sure to keep them in a basket or container that does not have a lid. If they do not have enough air, moisture will build up in their environment.
Anthony suggested: “Place potatoes in a paper bag or cardboard box, which can help maintain the ideal humidity levels.”
If you store potatoes correctly, they will stay fresh for months, so you will always have these spuds available in your kitchen no matter what meal you are cooking.