How and where to store potatoes correctly?

Potatoes are characterized by a high starch content. This substance begins to disintegrate during the storage of tubers, as a result of which the potatoes begin to deteriorate. This process is inevitable and most often depends on the time frame. The main purpose of storing potatoes is to prevent premature breakdown of starch, so there are a number of rules related to creating the necessary conditions for tubers.

The nuances of storing potatoes:

• varieties of different potatoes cannot be stored mixed (the shelf life directly depends on the variety of potatoes, therefore, if some tubers begin to deteriorate, then the process extends even to those varieties that belong to the category of long-term species);
• not all potato varieties are stored in the same way (you can predict the maximum shelf life of potatoes by their appearance, for example, early ripening varieties cannot be stored longer than until November);
• potatoes can not be stored with all vegetables (storage of potatoes with beets is considered the most profitable neighborhood, but other vegetables can speed up the process of rotting tubers);
• for storing potatoes, it is necessary to create optimal temperature conditions;
• if there are a lot of potatoes, then during storage it is necessary to sort out and remove tubers with shoots or signs of rotting;
• potatoes cannot be stored in the refrigerator (tubers can freeze and acquire a sweet taste);
• you can significantly reduce the process of sprouting potatoes with the help of apples (if you put an apple in a potato, then the sprouts will appear much later);
• if the potatoes have shriveled, turned green or began to deteriorate, then in no case should they be eaten and stored with good tubers;
• it is impossible to store wet potatoes (if the tubers are wet, then they must be dried naturally, spreading them out at some distance from each other);
• the optimal storage medium for potatoes is a wooden box with holes for ventilation (without oxygen and with insufficient air humidity, the tubers will begin to wrinkle or deteriorate);
• ideal storage conditions for potatoes are considered to be temperatures up to +7 degrees with an air humidity of approximately 80%;
• you can put ginger root in a container with potatoes, then the decay process will be excluded for a long time;
• if sprouts appear on the potatoes, then it is necessary to make a decision on its further use in the shortest possible time (if the sprouts are small and the tubers are hard, then the potatoes can be eaten, if the tubers are soft and there are sprouts on them, then it is better to get rid of them);
• it is not recommended to store a small amount of potatoes in a plastic bag (tubers need oxygen, and the most negative conditions will be created in the bag, including condensate);
• it is not worth washing potatoes before storage (such actions can shorten the shelf life).

How much and at what temperature to store potatoes

The optimum storage temperature for potatoes is +5 – +7 degrees. It is not recommended to store tubers in the refrigerator, but if they were placed in the vegetable compartment, then they should be eaten for a maximum of 5-6 days. Otherwise, the starch will begin to disintegrate under the influence of low temperatures, and after cooking the tubers will become too crumbly and sweet.

The most optimal conditions for storing potatoes are:

• balcony;
• pantry;
• place under the sink.

Under these conditions, potatoes can be stored for months. Such places create a sufficient temperature regime and protect the tubers from light. If potatoes are stored on the balcony in winter, then it is recommended to place them in boxes upholstered with foam (or the balcony must be insulated). The average shelf life of any kind of potato is 6-7 months.

At room temperature, due to temperature differences, potatoes can shorten their storage time. For example, if tubers are stored in the kitchen, the humidity and temperature of the air change during the cooking process. In this case, the maximum storage period will be a period of up to one month.

Most often, large quantities of potatoes are stored in cellars or basements. Such conditions for tubers are the best. Potatoes in the absence of dampness can be stored for up to 10 months. The main rules in this case are: regular inspection of tubers and adherence to general recommendations.

The temperature range at which potatoes are stored can be divided into several categories.:

• from +2 to +3 degrees (shelf life is one month on average);
• from +5 to +7 degrees (shelf life is more than 6 months);
• from +7 to +10 (shelf life from 1 to 3 months).