This is what happens when you refrigerate raw potatoes.
Hint: It’s not good.
Here’s how and where to store them to make them last.
Buying fresh potatoes by the bag is usually more economical than buying individual spuds.
But if you refrigerate potatoes, that’s a bad idea.
Why You Shouldnt Refrigerate Potatoes
The decision to refrigerate potatoes could cost you in two significant ways.
During refrigeration, an enzyme in potatoes turns its natural sugarsucroseinto glucose and fructose.
Researchsuggests acrylamide may cause cancer: specifically kidney, endometrial, and ovarian cancer.
TheEnvironmental Protection Agency(EPA) says the chemical is likely to be carcinogenic to humans.
This research has led to a few key understandings.
Instead, stick to this to safely store spuds for up to 6 months.
For less-than-perfect potatoes, cut off and discard their bad parts, and use the good parts right away.
Find the Right Location
Store potatoes in a cool, humid, and dark place.
The ideal temperature range45 to 50 Fis warmer than a fridge but cooler than room temperature.
If you don’t have a root cellar (and who does these days?
), an unheated basement is the perfect spot for storing potatoes.
An insulated garage or shed is another option for storing potatoes during the winter.
Short of those locations, a pantry or kitchen drawer will do.
Potatoes that get too much light tend to turn green, the result of chlorophyll production.
“To be safe, it is best to not eat the green part of tubers.”
Conversely, potatoes high moisture content can cause onions to turn brown and mushy.
Just be sure to remove the sprouts before cooking.
