Have you harvested your potatoes and you don’t know how best to store them? Well, storing potatoes is easier than you can think. All you need to know is the processes involved in potato storage, that will keep them fresh for a long period.
Storing potatoes has proven to be a hard task to undertake for a majority of people. Some have ended up storing their potatoes poorly. As a result, the shelf life of the potatoes is reduced or even getting damaged. Even so, you should not get worried. Following these simple steps on how to store potatoes will guarantee you positive results.
How to store potatoes
Potatoes can last longer compared to fruits and vegetables. Nonetheless, storing them well after harvesting will bring maximum results. The following is the process used in potatoes storage.
First, you need to inspect the entire potato for sprouts, shovel damage, pest damage, mold, and soft spots. This will ensure you only have perfect potatoes to be stored for long.
Then take the potatoes and place them in a mesh bag, paper bag, cardboard even basket to ascertain good ventilation. Kindly do not store them in a plastic bag. A plastic bag will not allow your potatoes to breathe thus reducing their shelf life.
Next step is to keep your potatoes a dark, cool, and humid places with a temperature range of 45F to 50F. Do not try to refrigerate your potatoes. Cold temperatures turn to starch in the potatoes into sugars.
Lastly always check your potatoes from time to time, and remove potatoes that are shriveled, soft, or sprouted to prevent them from making other potatoes also go bad.
Simple potato storage problems
- Potatoes whose skin has been exposed to excessive light may turn green. You should not eat green potatoes as they may contain solanine that can cause illness.
- For those who do not like their potatoes “sweet”. You should take them out of storage in advance before cooking. This will ensure no extra starch will be converted to sugars.
- Never wash your potatoes, do this only when you are ready to use them.
- Only pick potatoes that you know will be stored well. Some potatoes can go through storage longer than others.
- To prevent premature ripening and flavor transfer, you should keep away potatoes from other produce. Produce like onion releases gas same as potatoes. When they are stored together premature ripening occurs.
Conclusion
Storing potatoes after harvest is an endeavor that should be carried out very well. This will ensure that your potatoes are well-kept over a long period. Potatoes should be stored in a dark, cool, and humid place. Further, potatoes should be kept away from other produce to prevent flavor transfer.
FAQs
How long can potatoes be stored?
Potatoes can be stored for several weeks at temperatures of 45 to 50F. Temperature above this range makes the potatoes shrivel.
What makes potatoes go green?
The green color change in potatoes occurs when potatoes are exposed to light. The greening brings about solanine that has a bitter taste.
Does potato flavor change on storage?
Proper storage of potatoes guarantees that nutritional quality, fitness, and flavors are maintained.