Where should potatoes be stored? Is the refrigerator the best choice for sure? In addition to softening and shriveling, tubers can also turn into a ticking time bomb.At least that’s what was assumed for a long time.What has the latest research shown?.
Most of us store potatoes at home or in the pantry, but it turns out that not everyone does it right.British nutritionists emphasize that the place of storage is crucial for the quality of potatoes.
Is it okay to store potatoes in the refrigerator?
Britain’s The Food Standards Agency (the government agency responsible for protecting public health in relation to food) called several years ago that raw, unpeeled potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator.Why?
Because potatoes stored below 6°C were thought to produce more sugars.And these, in turn, when baking or frying potatoes were supposed to combine and form the neurotoxic substance acrylamide, which in large quantities can damage the nervous system, disrupt metabolism and even contribute to the development of cancer.
However, later studies showed that storing potatoes in the refrigerator does not significantly increase the risk of acrylamide formation compared to storing them in a cool, dark place..
How to properly store potatoes?
The optimal temperature for storing potatoes is 7 to 10 °C. They should be stored in a dark place to be safe to eat and retain their nutritional value. In the home environment, a cellar or pantry is ideal for this purpose.
Too high a temperature will cause the potatoes to sprout or rot.Air humidity should be moderate, approximately 80 – 90% (if it is too dry, the potatoes can dry out and shrivel, and if it is too wet, they can mold).In addition, the access of sunlight to potatoes should be limited to a minimum.
