Though you can store potatoes in countless ways, not every method is ideal. It’s important not only to keep the potatoes themselves dry, but also to maintain the right environment. Storing potatoes in a humid or moist space can lead to sprouting, whereas too cold an environment can convert their starches into sugars, making them too sweet.
Instead, the best way to store all types of potatoes is in a cardboard box — preferably in a cool, dark space, according to the food experts at Foodie. They said: “Even after eight weeks of being stored in a cardboard box, your potatoes will likely remain firm, moist, and packed with flavour, thanks largely to the just-right humidity that’s encouraged by the semi-porous cardboard. Since potatoes release moisture, a cardboard box provides ventilation, allowing the moisture to evaporate, rather than collect and spoil the potatoes.
A box also helps protect them from light that might otherwise turn them green and bitter.
Depending on the variety of potato, there may be some initial sprouting after eight weeks; however, these sprouts are not as intense as the kind that would arise after the same length of time in other storage conditions.
The experts warned that if potatoes are stored in a bowl or basket for about the same length of time, “you may find that the sprouts are inches long”.
The decision of whether or not you should eat sprouted potatoes is less likely to come up if the spuds are stored safely in a cardboard box.
The food experts added: “The pores of cardboard boxes enable them to absorb moisture and help maintain an ideal humidity level for potatoes.
“These root vegetables should also be stored in a cool, but not cold, location, as colder temperatures can lead to overly sweet potatoes.”
Exposure to light can also spell bad news, leading to green or spoiled potatoes. Luckily, a cardboard box is the “perfect defence” against this.
The flaps at the top of a cardboard box don’t even need to be closed all the way to fulfil their protective duties (though, of course, that depends on the exact dimensions of the box and where it’s sitting).
As reliable as a cardboard box is, you can ensure your potatoes are even more protected from spoilage by storing them with apples, since they can help prevent them from sprouting.
Naturally, you should think about where you put the box, paying close attention to ambient temperature, humidity, and other factors.
Dining and Cooking