Even when stored in a dry, cool and dark place, potatoes always end up softening and sprouting. But there is a little-known and very effective technique for preserving them for a long time.
Many of us have already discovered potatoes abandoned in a corner of the kitchen. At the same time, given that these starchy foods are often bought in bags or nets of several kilos, there are often survivors who have managed to escape their fate. But even if potatoes are known to keep for a fairly long time, after a while they end up sprouting, like most edible tubers or bulbs, or becoming seriously soft.
Fortunately, there is a trick to slow down the process and preserve these foods for longer. Contrary to popular belief, the method of preserving potatoes is not limited to putting them in the pantry or in a dark cupboard, although it is indeed better to keep them in a specific place, away from light and humidity. For this, cupboards, cellars and basements are perfect places, as long as they are not too humid, because excess humidity promotes rotting.
However, do not put them in the refrigerator! While it is recommended to keep them below 10°, the cold transforms the starch in potatoes into sugar, giving them an unpleasant sweet taste and promoting their degradation. It is also recommended to store them in a paper bag, a wooden crate or a burlap net that allows good ventilation, while avoiding light which activates the germination process.
But the ultimate trick is to place an apple right next to the potatoes. Indeed, some fruits and vegetables release gases. This is particularly the case with the apple which, when stored, releases ethylene, a gas which has the particularity of preserving the potato for longer and delaying the appearance of sprouts. An ordinary apple thus allows to considerably extend the shelf life of the potatoes, while preserving their taste and nutritional qualities.
However, be careful: never store your potatoes near onions. In fact, they release a gas which, conversely, accelerates the germination of potatoes.
That said, keep in mind that sprouted potatoes are not toxic: you would have to eat 2 kg of them to suffer from headaches and vomiting! In practice, you just need to remove the sprouts by peeling them to eat them without any problem.