Throughout history, potatoes have been shown to be remarkably resilient and versatile. But can potatoes go bad? And if they do, how to tell? Keep reading to discover the answers.
Can Potatoes Go Bad?
Potatoes are one of the world’s most famous vegetables, and for good reason: There are many ways to prepare them and the results are almost always finger-licking good.
Potatoes are so versatile and reliable that it’s natural to wonder whether they can go bad. The short answer is yes, like any other vegetable potatoes can go bad.
However, potatoes can last for up to several months if stored properly.
The ideal way to store potatoes is in a dark, dry place with lots of ventilation at A temperature of about 43–50°F (6–10°C).
Potatoes need circulating air, so don’t store your potatoes in sealed containers
Note that you should NOT keep raw potatoes in the fridge or freezer, as low temperatures can turn the starch in potatoes into sugar. In addition to releasing potentially harmful substances known as acrylamides, this process gives potatoes an unpleasant sweet taste and a mushy consistency.
How To Tell if Potatoes Have Gone Bad?
Fresh veggies not only taste better, but they also retain more of their nutrients. That’s why you should always look for signs of spoilage before consuming vegetables. Here are some ways to tell if your potatoes have gone bad:
- Soft or mushy consistency
- Mold
- Musty or moldy smell
- Shriveled skin
- Lots of bruises or blemishes
- The potato has turned completely green (if only parts of the skin are green, you can remove those parts with a knife; if the potato tastes bitter after peeling it and cooking it it’s better not to eat it).
You can still eat your potatoes even if they have small sprouts. Just remove the sprouts with a peeler or knife. However, if the sprouts are too long, that may be a sign that you should throw the potato away.
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