Simple tips to keep potatoes fresh for longer

Tesco has come forward with a money-saving food storage hack that's perfect for those looking to keep their potatoes fresh for an extended period without spending a penny extra. The supermarket behemoth suggested: "By following a few simple steps, you can keep your potatoes nearly as fresh as the day you bought them, for up to six months."

Adding a cautionary note, Tesco stated, "Your spuds need air circulation, so don't suffocate them in a plastic bag." Instead, they recommend keeping the vegetables in a cool and dark area to avoid sprouting.

Tesco continued: "So, if you want your spuds to stay in tip-top condition, we recommend popping them in a paper bag and stashing them away in a dark place of your choosing: a porch cupboard or garden shed are all great options, and there's always the fridge (if you've got the space).", reports the Express.

One crucial piece of advice shared was, "It's important not to wash the potatoes, as this adds moisture that can encourage them to sprout." Instead, the popular retailer instructed customers: "Instead, get rid of most of the dirt by brushing it off. Store in a well-ventilated, cool, dry place below 10 degrees Celsius."

Lastly, they advised customers to perform regular checks: "Check every few weeks to ensure that there aren't any sprouted or spoiled spuds in the batch, as they can ruin all your hard work."

Luke Willcox, an expert from Seasonal Spuds, previously informed The Express: "Official guidance from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) has advised that the best way to store potatoes is in the fridge. Storing them in the fridge helps them last more than three times as long as storing at room temperature, whilst also reducing food waste."

Yet, when it comes to the proper storage of this kitchen staple, another expert has offered a word of caution.

Addison LaBonte, a recipe developer and founder of Watch Learn Eat, strongly advises against refrigerating potatoes.

She explained: "Putting potatoes in the fridge can increase the amount of sugar they contain, which is what can give them that sweet taste, and lead to a chemical reaction leading to higher levels of a chemical called acrylamide when the potatoes are baked, fried or roasted at high temperatures."

"This can pose a health problem and may be why you see some places suggest against storing potatoes in the fridge if at all possible."

Moreover, Martha Stewart's website highlights that potatoes should be stored separately from onions, which emit ethylene gas, causing potatoes to sprout prematurely and potentially absorb the flavour of the onions.