Fridge, cellar or pantry - where and, above all, how are potatoes best stored so that they last a long time? Our tips will tell you.
Erdapfel, Grundbirne, Tuffel - The potato not only has many names, but also many lovers. Accordingly, today it is simply impossible to imagine the menu without it. After all, it is also very diverse. You can serve them as a side dish or conjure up a complete dish from them. Whether it's potato salad, potato pancakes (pancakes) or potato soup - there's actually something for every taste.
But the fact is that potatoes are a bit demanding when it comes to storage. In the past, we (especially those who grew potatoes themselves) simply gave them to the potato cellar and that was the end of it. But who has a potato cellar these days? So another solution is needed. In principle, it is not that difficult to store potatoes properly. You should only stick to the following tips, then your potatoes will stay fresh for a long time. By the way, this applies to all potato varieties.
Tips for storing potatoes properly
Tip 1 - optimal storage temperature:
Potatoes need a cool place, but they don't belong in the fridge. If the temperatures are higher than 10 degrees, the tubers germinate quickly. In addition, the moisture is lost, so that they shrivel up. It must not be colder than 4 degrees, because then the starch is converted into sugar and the taste of the potatoes changes unpleasantly.
The optimum temperature for storing potatoes is therefore between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius. If there really is no other way, then you can exceptionally store the potatoes in the fridge for a short time.
Tip 2 - choose a dark room for storage:
In addition to the ideal temperature, the room must also be dark and dry. Potatoes can rot or mold very quickly when it's moist. Also, when the potatoes get too much light, solanine builds up, resulting in a green discoloration. This substance is toxic and can cause he alth problemssymptoms such as diarrhea and nausea.
You should always store your potatoes in a dark and cool room. The cellar is probably the best place for this.
Tip 3 - Store the right containers around potatoes:
Potatoes are best kept in a linen or jute bag after harvest or after purchase. Alternatively, closed wooden boxes or a wicker basket also work. In any case, air must get to the tubers and it must still be dark, otherwise the potatoes will start to sprout. Plastic containers are therefore unsuitable for storage.
Ideal are:
» the Granrosi potato pot with a capacity of 4 kg
» the ceramic Roman pot for approx. 3 kg of potatoes» or the classic jute bag for 15 - 20 kg of potatoes
Extra tip:
» this stackable potato crate
If you now decide on a wooden box, you should first lay out some newspaper on the bottom. Then keep the potatoes spread out as much as possible, as they will bruise very quickly if they are lying on top of each other.
Additional tip:
Potatoes can also be pre-germinated in wooden boxes. Here's how to do it: Sprouting potatoes - step-by-step instructions.
Tip 4 - Do not store this next to potatoes:
Under no circumstances should you store pears, apples and plums right next to the potatoes. These fruits give off a gas called ethylene, which causes the potatoes to ripen faster and can even spoil.
By the way, the same goes for bananas and peaches, but you probably won't have so many of them that you have to store them in the basement.
Tip 5 - Check potatoes regularly:
You should also check the potatoes from time to time so that you can quickly remove any rotten vegetables. This is important, otherwise the rot can spread to other tubers.
If you discover sprouting potatoes, you should sort them out and use them up as soon as possible.