How to Store Potatoes

How does a steaming plate of mashed potatoes with gravy, baked corn and peas, sound? Delicious, I am sure. Well, like this one there are many more mouth-watering potato recipes. This is because potatoes are one of the most staple foods in America and in many other countries. Since it is consumed in so many different food items, this edible tuber, also known as Solanum tuberosum and is cultivated in various parts of America. However, the shelf life of potatoes after they are harvested and kept at room temperature is barely a few weeks. Therefore, it is very important that potatoes are stored in a proper manner. Many a time when potatoes are not stored properly, they start sprouting which are meant to be removed while cooking. Thus, if you want to know how to store potatoes effectively, you can read into the paragraphs mentioned below.

Store Potatoes at Home

When you purchase potatoes, or harvest them after you have grown them, you have to store them appropriately. Potatoes consist of a considerably longer shelf life than other vegetables. But if they are not stored well, they turn into sprouting potatoes, they dry off, or simply get damaged in a few weeks.

There are many ways of storing potatoes effectively, as their shelf life can actually be a few months with the right storage. But, there are seasonal changes which can also affect their storage, so you need to be a little careful in winters and during the rains. However, we have some really easy and useful tips if you want to know how to store potatoes. These are mentioned below, so take a look and use the ones you find are convenient for you.

Storing Potatoes

• The main ingredient of potatoes is starch which gives it its taste and color. But if these tubers are not stored well, the starch begins to breakdown, diminishing the potato nutrition. Thus, the first important thing you need to remember about how to store potatoes is, to keep them in dark places with low temperature and good air flow.
• The temperature used to store potatoes for longer duration can be about 4 degrees C, and that for short term storage is generally 7 to 10 degrees C. However, when these temperatures are lower than 4 degrees C, the starch is converted into sugar which in turn alters the taste of the potato.
• Also remember, that the best way to store potatoes is to keep them absolutely away from light. So, when you have to store them at home, make sure you keep them in dark places, cover them, or simply keep them in a box with air holes in it. According to potato facts, as mentioned above, their nutrition and taste diminished with light.
• Another great tip to follow in how to store potatoes is to store them in paper sacks with either open necks, or air holes in them. You can use this tip to store potatoes for the winter, because paper sacks keep moisture away.
• Keep checking these potatoes, as they might end up rotting, if there is any moisture that enters the bag. Do not refrigerate raw potatoes, they "sugar" and lose flavor.
• However, for freezing potatoes, you will first have to cook them, and then freeze them. This is another way of storing potatoes, mind you cooked ones not raw. While freezing potatoes, place them in airtight bags and then freeze them in the freezer. You can surely recook them whenever desired.
• With the right ways to store potatoes, you can preserve them for more than a month to use in your favorite potato recipes, but you need to provide the optimum temperature and dark environment for the best results.

Now that you know how to store potatoes, you can try these methods to keep the potatoes away from damage and sprouts for as long as possible. So, go ahead and use these effective ways to store potatoes at home.