As the chill of autumn sets in, many are reaching for potatoes to whip up hearty stews and soups. Yet, there’s nothing more irritating than discovering your spuds have spoiled prematurely. Despite what you might think, shoving them straight into the fridge upon returning from the shops isn't ideal.
In fact, most of us are clueless about the correct way to keep our potatoes fresh. Expert Cynthia Ryan, founder of Simply by Cynthia and a wiz in the kitchen, has revealed the correct way does not involve a fridge at all. “Never, ever store raw potatoes in the refrigerator," Cynthia said.
"The colder temperatures in the fridge convert the starch to sugar and alter the taste and texture. “Instead, store raw spuds in a dark, cool-ish and well-ventilated area. I have hanging mesh bags in a utility room closet for this purpose.
” It's vital to avoid leaving potatoes on the kitchen counter, too, as they're inclined to rot when in contact with sunlight and dampness in the air. When potatoes are exposed to light, they start turning green and churn out a nasty compound called solanine, which can make your spuds unbearably bitter, reports the Express . With kitchens tending to be very humid places after cooking, spuds can go mouldy at an alarmingly quick rate.
Instead, find a dark and dry place such as a cupboard or drawer in the kitchen. However, storing potatoes demands caution - they must stay clear of certain veggies like onions. Although a dynamic duo in cooking, if stored toget.