Prevent potato germination with 9 simple solutions
If we do not store potatoes properly after purchasing them, they will germinate and rot, but it is possible to prevent potatoes from sprouting using simple solutions.
Potatoes are a staple food in many cultures and humans have been using this food for over 10,000 years. Besides being rich in potassium, potatoes are also an excellent source of carbohydrates and fiber. These delicious potatoes are used in a variety of ways including baked, fried, roasted, and even dried. Unfortunately, to preserve this delicious food at home, we are faced with the problem of sprouting potatoes, but there are also ways to prevent potatoes from sprouting.
Ways to prevent potato germination
1. Keep potatoes in a cool place
The temperature at which potatoes are stored greatly affects how long they will be stored. If you store potatoes at a temperature of 6-10 ° C, they can be stored for several months without sprouting or spoiling. This temperature range is slightly warmer than the temperature inside the refrigerator and is usually equivalent to the temperature of your basement, warehouse, or garage.
Research conducted in this field has shown that keeping potatoes at a cold temperature increases their shelf life up to four times. Additionally, if potatoes are kept at this temperature, they help preserve vitamin C. Research shows that potatoes stored at cool temperatures retain up to ninety percent of their vitamin C for four months.
2. Keep potatoes away from light
Sunlight can make potato skin produce chlorophyll and turn green. While the chlorophyll in potatoes is harmless, and when exposed to sunlight, it can turn into a toxic substance called solanine. Many people avoid green potatoes due to their high levels of solanine. Solanine also produces a bitter taste that can irritate the mouth or throat of sensitive individuals.
The use of large amounts of solanine is toxic and leads to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and in this regard a few cases of death have been reported. Solanine is found almost entirely in potato skins, so peeling the skin of green potatoes can help remove this toxic substance.
3. Do not store potatoes in the refrigerator or freezer
Although lower temperatures are good for preventing the growth of potatoes, storing them in the refrigerator is not a good idea. Very low temperatures can make potatoes sweet. This occurs when the starch in the potato is converted into reducing sugar. Reducing sugar can produce carcinogens called acrylamides when in contact with high heat or during frying.
Also, raw potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator. At sub-zero temperatures, potato juice expands and forms crystals that disrupt the structure of the cell wall. These crystals neutralize after contact with hot or room temperature water, rendering the potatoes unusable.
In addition, potatoes turn brown when exposed to air in the freezer. This is because the enzymes that cause potatoes to brown are still active. Storing baked potatoes in the freezer does not pose a problem in this regard, because these enzymes are inactivated during cooking.
4. Store the potatoes in an airtight container
To prevent potatoes from sprouting, it is necessary to expose them to air flows. The best way to create air circulation is to store potatoes in an airtight container. Do not put them in sealed plastic bags or containers. Without air circulation, the resulting moisture causes bacteria and mold to grow.
5. Wash the potatoes
Because potatoes are grown underground, there is often a lot of dirt on their skin, so we often wash them and then store them, but to prevent them from sprouting, wash them immediately before eating them.
6. Keep potatoes away from other crops
Every ripe fruit and vegetable emits ethylene gas, which creates moisture in the fruit and increases its sugar content. Germination can be accelerated if potatoes are stored near other fruits and vegetables, so store them away from other produce, especially bananas, apples, onions, and tomatoes.
7. Treat potatoes before storing them
Most of us buy potatoes at local markets and stores, but if you grow them yourself, "cure" them before storing them. To do this, keep them at a temperature of about 18 ° C with a humidity of 95 to 98% for two weeks.
For this purpose, you can prepare a container for this purpose, or place it next to a fireplace or chimney, or turn on a 40-watt light bulb near the potatoes. This condition causes the potato skin to thicken, so it will be more resistant to wear and tear.
8. Buy fall and winter potatoes
Buy some potatoes, which you are sure to use in the fall and winter. Because as soon as spring comes, the potatoes start to grow.
9. Check your potatoes regularly
Check your stored potatoes occasionally and remove any soft or sprouted potatoes to prevent other potatoes from germinating. Sprouted potatoes will be fine as long as they are firm and not discolored.
Tips for buying the best potatoes
If you buy fresh, healthy potatoes, you can keep them longer. When choosing potatoes, pay attention to the following features:
The potatoes should be firm. If the potato is mushy when you hold it in your hand, or if the potato tissue retracts when you squeeze it, then it is not of good quality.
Potatoes that have been damaged by exposure to cold weather may have holes in their skin, so look for potatoes with smooth, even skins.
Sometimes potatoes may be damaged during harvesting or transportation. Avoid buying potatoes that are clearly damaged, as they will spoil sooner.
Sprouted potatoes are one of the first signs of spoilage, so avoid buying potatoes that have sprouted.
The conclusion
Knowing the best way to store potatoes to prevent them from spawning and spoiling can increase the useful life of this delicious food and reduce unnecessary food waste. Therefore, be sure to keep the following points in mind when storing this food:
Store potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated place, but do not refrigerate them.
Keep peeled potatoes in water and in the refrigerator so that they do not change color.
For home grown potatoes, store them in warm temperatures and high humidity for 2 weeks.
Regardless of the storage method, potatoes must be fresh and healthy when purchased so that they can be stored for a longer period of time. Therefore, avoid buying soft, spotted, or sprouted potatoes.
