a day ago
Tesco issues advice to shoppers who buys potatoes in plastic bags
The supermarket have offered advice to its customers on how to extend the life of the ingredient
Making money go further is something that is top of our minds these days, especially when it comes to making food last longer. Tesco has shared a crucial piece of advice to its customers on how to keep potatoes fresh for as long as possible.
The retail giant said: "By following a few simple steps, you can keep your potatoes nearly as fresh as the day you bought them, for up to six months."
But Tesco has issued a warning about potato storage, stating: "Your spuds need air circulation, so don't suffocate them in a plastic bag."
The supermarket also emphasised the need to store them in a cool, dark place to prevent sprouting, reports the Express.
Tesco suggests the optimum way to maintain potato freshness: "So, if you want your spuds to stay in tip-top condition, we recommend popping them in a paper bag and stashing them away in a dark place of your choosing: a porch cupboard or garden shed are all great options, and there's always the fridge (if you've got the space)."
Moreover, they highlight that potatoes shouldn't be washed before storage: "It's important not to wash the potatoes, as this adds moisture that can encourage them to sprout."
"Instead, get rid of most of the dirt by brushing it off. Store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place below 10 degrees Celsius.
"Check every few weeks to ensure that there aren't any sprouted or spoiled spuds in the batch, as they can ruin all your hard work."
This follows advice from Luke Willcox from Seasonal Spuds who previously told The Express: "Official guidance from WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has advised that the best way to store potatoes is in the fridge.
"Storing them in the fridge helps them last more than three times as long as storing at room temperature, whilst also reducing food waste."
However, Addison LaBonte, a culinary whizz and the brains behind Watch Learn Eat, strongly advises against refrigerating spuds.
She explained: "Putting potatoes in the fridge can increase the amount of sugar they contain, which is what can give them that sweet taste, and lead to a chemical reaction leading to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide when the potatoes are baked, fried or roasted at high temperatures.
"This can pose a health problem and may be why you see some places suggest against storing potatoes in the fridge if at all possible."
Meanwhile, Martha Stewart's website cautions that potatoes should be kept well away from onions due to the ethylene they emit, which can cause spuds to sprout prematurely and absorb the flavour of the onions.
