Most people store potatoes in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for longer, but the cooking publication Simply Recipes says this habit can backfire. According to the outlet, potatoes need a cool spot, but a standard fridge is actually too cold for them.
A writer for the publication said she picked up the habit of keeping potatoes in a cool, dark place from her mother, who worked in the restaurant industry. She kept storing potatoes that way in her own homes as an adult, but only learned the real reason for it while training at culinary school.
Why the fridge causes problems
The writer explained that most fruits and vegetables genuinely do better in the refrigerator, since low temperatures help them stay fresh longer. Potatoes are the exception. A typical fridge runs at around 1.7 to 3.3 degrees Celsius, and that cold triggers a process in the tubers known as cold-induced sweetening.
During this process, the potato's natural starch converts into sugars. As a result, cooked potatoes can end up tasting slightly sweet and developing a grainy texture. The extra sugar also affects how the potatoes brown, meaning those stored in the fridge darken faster when fried, roasted or baked in the oven.
A health concern too
There is another reason to avoid over-relying on cold storage, the writer said. Cooking starchy foods at high temperatures produces a compound called acrylamide, and the additional sugars that build up in potatoes through cold-induced sweetening can raise its levels. The US Food and Drug Administration advises limiting exposure to the compound where possible.
Where potatoes should be kept instead
The best place for potatoes, according to the writer, is a cool, dark and well-ventilated spot, ideally at a temperature of roughly 7 to 13 degrees Celsius. A pantry, a low kitchen cupboard, a basement or a cellar can all work well.
Potatoes should also be kept away from sunlight, the stove and the oven. Light can cause green patches to form on the skin, while heat speeds up sprouting. Simply Recipes also advises against washing potatoes before storing them, since extra moisture can cause them to spoil faster.
For proper airflow, potatoes should not be left in a sealed plastic bag. A basket, a paper bag or an open cardboard box works better. The outlet also recommends keeping potatoes away from onions, since each can shorten the other's shelf life.
