subject: Effective Steps For Storing Potatoes [print this page] Potato is a stable and everyday vegetable for many households all over the world. The vegetable is also combined with other vegetables and dishes to make for some mouth watering experiences. The best part of the potato is that you can store it for several months once it has been pulled out of the soil.
In case you are going to consume the potatoes that you have bought from the supermarket in a few days then you dont have to worry about how you will store them. But in case you want to store them for a few weeks then storing them in proper storage conditions is very important. This way, their flavor and nutrition stay intact. Let us have a quick look at some tips for strong potatoes.
Potatoes dont need any cleaning. However in case they are very dirty then you can rinse them with water. Rinse them gently without damaging the skin and then you should dry them completely before storing them. Potatoes should not be exposed to sunlight as they begin to turn green because of the presence of chlorophyll. Glycoalkaloids begin to form inside and this could turn out to be highly toxic.They should ideally be stored in a cool and dry place. In case you see the greenness in the potatoes then you should discard them immediately.
Potatoes continue to live even after they are plucked from the ground. They need oxygen to remain fresh. Hence potatoes should be stored in containers such as basket to promote air flow. You can keep them in plastic containers having holes at the top or sides. Potatoes need to be stored in a humid environment as they are 80% water. You can store them in plastic bags with holes and a large water basin in front of the bag. Potatoes should not be stored in airtight containers.
The ideal temperature for storing potatoes is between 40 and 55 degrees. They should not be kept in the fridge or frozen. Temperatures below 40 degrees will lead to increase in the sugar levels inside potatoes. Temperatures above 55 degrees will result in the growth of sprouts and the potatoes will become diseased. In case you are going to fry the potatoes then you should put them in a warmer place. In case you are going to boil or bake them then you can store them in less warm temperature.
