Food experts have shared a simple solution to keep potatoes fresh for months, and it doesn’t require refrigerating them – in fact, the fridge could be a no-go
Potatoes – a kitchen essential and particularly popular during this time of year for whipping up hearty stews and other cosy meals – are central to a clever money-saving trick.
One straightforward method to slash expenses during autumn involves mastering proper food storage techniques. Spuds, for example, can remain fresh for over three months when kept in the right environment.
In fantastic news for penny-pinching home cooks, a professional chef has disclosed that potatoes can stay fresh for months without needing refrigeration. Jerry James Stone, a renowned vegetarian chef whose recipes have graced the Discovery Channel, Whole Foods, and Costco, has shared his knowledge.
READ MORE: Potato salad is ‘next level’ when you add one common ingredient into the mayoREAD MORE: ‘World’s best pasta sauce’ recipe by legendary Italian chef has just 3 ingredients
In an educational video, Jerry revealed: “Stored properly, potatoes can last up to three months, I’ve even had them last up to six months and still keep fresh.”
Regarding the perfect location for keeping your tatties, Jerry suggests it’s “pretty simple actually”. The secret lies in positioning them in a chilly pantry, cupboard, or cellar, avoiding the fridge or any worktop where they could face direct sunlight, reports the Express.
Jerry clarified: “They like being in a dark cool place, so it’s really important to keep potatoes out of the sun. When potatoes are in the sun, when they’re exposed to too much light, they actually produce a chemical called solanine. It’s actually what potatoes use to protect themselves in nature. This solanine, when they’re exposed to light, makes them really kinda bitter and just not tasty.”
According to Jerry, the ideal place to keep spuds is in a dark, cool spot, ideally in an open paper bag to allow proper airflow. He explained: “You don’t want to store them in plastic and you definitely don’t want to store them in a sealed plastic bag because they don’t like the moisture. That sealed plastic bag is going to trap that moisture which is really unpleasant for potatoes.”
“When they’re stored in a brown paper bag, you want to keep that bag open. Keep it open and place it somewhere that’s a cool and well-ventilated dark place,” he said.
READ MORE: ‘I tried Burger King’s new £11 gourmet Wagyu Burger – one thing surprised me’
Jerry warned against keeping potatoes on a worktop as it’s “not the best place” because of too much light exposure which can make them turn green and begin sprouting. He continued: “This isn’t the worst thing, it’s just chlorophyll. It’s still safe to eat but it’s not pleasant and honestly, if you eat too much of it, it’s gonna give you stomach problems.”
Keeping potatoes in the fridge is a mistake, as they favour humid environments and the chill can be too severe for them. Jerry cautioned: “Putting potatoes in the fridge actually takes those starches within the potato and starts converting them into sugars. That result just makes for a really unpleasant taste when it comes to potatoes but is also kind of hard to work with when it comes to baking or cooking.”
He also warned against storing potatoes near onions or garlic as these vegetables can cause them to spoil more quickly. Jerry explained: “You want to keep your potatoes from anything ethylene-producing, like apples, and bananas. Those types that produce ethylene gas will cause potatoes to ripen faster than they’re supposed to.”
He further added: “This is why you should never store your potatoes next to onions or garlic for that very reason.”
