Potatoes will stay fresh and sprout-free ’90 days longer’ if stored in 1 unexpected spot

The shelf life of potatoes can vary, depending on how they are after purchase.

While many rotten potatoes are easy to recognise, sometimes you may not know if a potato is still usable without peeling off the skin first.

Often, the first sign of potatoes going bad is sprouting. This is when potatoes start to use up their stored nutrients and grow.

For those wanting to keep their potatoes fresh for months without freezing them, the person behind the account , Lynne, has just the tip.

Despite many people thinking otherwise, Lynne says the fridge is one of the best places to store your potatoes.

In , she said: “Did you know that keeping potatoes in the fridge can help them to last for up to 90 days longer? Yep, you heard me, 90 days longer. Get them in the fridge.”

Previously, experts had warned consumers against storing potatoes in the fridge, because reports have highlighted the potential health risks of keeping them at low temperatures.

said the particular risk was the formation of acrylamide which was originally associated with the risk of developing cancer.

By storing your potatoes in the fridge, it was said that it could lead to extra sugars forming on your potatoes, which then turns into acrylamide.

Acrylamide is described by the FSA as “a chemical substance formed when starchy foods, such as potatoes and bread, are cooked at high temperatures (above 120°C).”

However, since then the FSA have reversed this guidance and encouraged all consumers to now keep their spuds in the fridge this tip could make their potatoes sprout-free for longer.

Potato experts at also recommend keeping your potatoes in the fridge “for freshness”.

However, Lynne warned: “Just watch out though as the longer you keep them, the sweeter they will taste when you cook them.”

Potatoes are primarily made of starch. Over time the starch can convert to sugars through enzyme action. This conversion can make the potatoes taste sweeter.