Potatoes won't sprout and will 'last the longest' time if kept in one place
The humble potato is a staple in households across the country thanks to their ability to be turned into a side dish in many different forms. Chip, boil, roast or mash them, they are a great, cheap and filling accompaniment to a meal.
But how often have you reached into the cupboard to find they have sprouted, turned green or are soft and even wrinkly? Proper storage of the versatile tattie is essential if you want to extend their shelf life.
Although sold in the non-refrigerated section in the supermarkets, spuds are generally kept in cool, dark drawers or cupboards but research has shown that they can actually be stored in the fridge.
In fact, keeping them in the cold can make them edible for six months more. According to experts at Love Food Hate Waste, UK homes throw away nearly half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salads, as well as a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit each year.
This means a massive £2.1billion worth of produce thrown away simply because it isn't consumed in time. Historically, potatoes have been kept out of the fridge due to concerns about increased levels of acrylamide, a substance that forms in starchy foods and can potentially increase the risk of cancer, reports the Express.
However, a comprehensive scientific study showed storing potatoes in the fridge "doesn't actually increase acrylamide potential" compared to the usual method of storing them at room temperature in a cupboard.
This research on potato storage was overseen by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products, and the Environment (COT) and reviewed by the FSA, so you can trust its findings.
As a way to combat food waste, savvy consumers have been told to pay close attention to the Best Before dates and labelling on their potato products.
And the organisation WRAP, behind the Love Food Hate Waste initiative, has shared startling findings from an investigation into the reliability of best-before dates and their part in causing needless food waste.
WRAP's study points to evidence suggesting best-before dates may not be the best way to assess edibility, with items lasting appreciably longer if stored correctly "when they last much longer".
Take potatoes as an example - when kept unrefrigerated in a kitchen cupboard, they are purportedly at their peak for 10 days as per packet instructions. However, it was only after 14 days that signs of deterioration could truly be observed.
Even more astonishing is the revelation that when potatoes were refrigerated at four degrees, despite packaging advice of a mere 10-day shelf life, they remained in prime condition for well over twenty days past the best-before mark.
By bypassing the use of best-before dates, the trial displayed that potatoes could survive even longer periods at room temperature and when stored coolly.
Experts recommend the refrigerator as the "right place" for potato storage to maximise longevity "they'll last the longest".
Under optimal storage conditions like a cool, dark space, potatoes can stay good to eat for a number of months. If refrigerated, this timeline may stretch up to three times as long, potentially exceeding six months.
If you're aiming to extend the life of your spuds, it's recommended to take them out of any plastic packaging and pop them into a fabric bag. This method blocks light and lets the tatties breathe.
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