Why Your Potatoes Sprout — and a Simple Trick to Keep Them Fresh Longer
Potatoes are a kitchen staple, but leave them sitting too long and they can quickly develop sprouts, turning from everyday ingredient into something far less appealing — and potentially unsafe to eat.
There has long been confusion over how best to store potatoes. For years, people were advised to avoid keeping them in the fridge due to concerns that cold temperatures would alter their starch and make them less healthy. However, more recent research suggests refrigeration is safe and can even extend their shelf life.
Experts now say storing potatoes in the fridge can keep them fresh up to three times longer. But another surprisingly simple trick may help prevent them from sprouting in the first place: keeping them near apples.
Apples naturally release ethylene gas, a compound that can slow down the sprouting process in potatoes. Waste management specialists say this interaction can help reduce food waste by keeping potatoes usable for longer.
Despite these storage solutions, caution is still needed. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family, and when they turn green or begin to sprout, they can produce harmful compounds. Eating spoiled potatoes may pose health risks.
To keep them safe and fresh, experts recommend storing potatoes properly, checking them regularly, and discarding any that show signs of sprouting or greening.
