Autumn is now here and many people will be getting their cookbooks out to make their favourite hearty dishes such as stews or soups to keep warm during the cold weather. One of the staple ingredients in most comfort food recipes is potatoes , and stopping them from expiring before their time can be difficult if you do not know how to properly store them. Liana Green, a cooking expert and founder of Lianas Kitchen has shared that one major mistake most people make is storing potatoes in their supermarket packaging.
She said: “If you bought your potatoes from the store, never keep them in the original plastic bag that they came in. “Spuds should never be kept in plastic containers, especially sealed ones that trap humidity inside.” The key to keeping potatoes fresh and sprouting-free for longer is to keep them away from moisture and make sure they have plenty of ventilation so humidity cannot build up.
However, it is also important to not store potatoes on the kitchen counter as exposure to sunlight can lead to an increase in solanine in the vegetable, a toxic compound often used against pests. Liana said: “Exposure to light causes them to turn green, making them bitter and quite toxic. So make sure those taters are kept in complete darkness.
” Instead, the best place to keep potatoes is in a dry, dark and cool place such as a kitchen cupboard, drawer or even a pantry if you have one. Make sure potatoes are kept away from most appliances in the kitchen such as the oven.