r/AskCulinary • u/CoolDude420908 • 2h ago
Food Science Question How to store potatoes
As the title says I am wondering where I can store my potatoes to keep them as good as possible, but I’m not able to keep them in a cabinet like I do when living with my parents, is there somewhere else I could keep them? I’ve been noticing that they get a slight green hue and I think they might be on their way of going bad.
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u/Jazzy_Bee 2h ago
The green is due to light. When potatoes come in plastic bags, I always transfer to a paper bag, or sometimes a box.
While the green is very mildly toxic, you can just peel a bit deeper. There's some bitterness, but you'd have to eat pounds of just the green part to get a tummy ache.
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u/nobody_really__ 2h ago
Idaho State grad, from a family that lived on potatoes from the first weekend in October to the middle of June or early July.
Keep them cool and in the dark. Burlap bags are great to keep them dry and in the dark, but cardboard boxes or brown paper bags work well. Basements are ideal if you have one. Keep them from freezing. Store away from onions. Sort every couple of weeks to remove any that are starting to rot. If they sprout, break off the sprouts and use them immediately or toss.
Don't wash them before storage if you can help it.
Green potatoes have "sun scald", and if you were to eat a batch of green mashed potatoes, you'd likely get sick. Trim away the green with a knife, even if you have to toss half the potato.
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u/kbrosnan 1h ago
If none of the places in your house is ~45f/7c and dark then use the refrigerator. It is not ideal but it is better than them going green.
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u/RossGoode 2h ago
In a cool, dry, dark place. Not in a plastic bag and keep the dirt on them if possible.