Potatoes can last for several weeks when stored properly. However, poor storage can make them sprout, turn green, soften or rot. Here are some simple tips to keep them fresh for longer.
Do’s: What you should do
1. Store in a cool, dark place: Keep potatoes in a cool, dry and dark area, away from direct sunlight and heat.
2. Use a ventilated container: Store them in a basket, mesh bag, paper bag or open crate to allow air to circulate.
3. Keep them dry: Moisture encourages mould and rotting. Make sure the potatoes are dry before storing them.
4. Remove damaged potatoes: Check your potatoes regularly and remove any that are rotten, mouldy or leaking to prevent spoilage from spreading.
5. Keep them away from onions: Store potatoes separately from onions because their storage conditions and gases can encourage faster deterioration when kept together.
6. Check them regularly: Inspect your potatoes every few days, especially during hot weather.
7. Buy only what you need: Avoid buying more potatoes than you can use within a reasonable period.
Don’ts: What you should avoid
1. Don’t store potatoes in direct sunlight: Exposure to light can cause them to turn green and produce more glycoalkaloids, including solanine.
2. Don’t keep them in airtight plastic bags: These trap moisture and reduce ventilation, encouraging mould and rot.
3. Don’t wash before storing: Washing leaves moisture on the skin. Wash them just before cooking.
4. Don’t store them near heat sources: Keep them away from ovens, cookers and sunny windows.
5. Don’t refrigerate raw potatoes unnecessarily: Cold temperatures can change their flavour and cooking characteristics. A cool, dark cupboard is generally better.
6. Don’t store rotten potatoes with healthy ones: One spoiled potato can affect others nearby.
7. Don’t eat heavily green, bitter or badly sprouted potatoes: Green colour and bitterness can indicate increased glycoalkaloids. Discard potatoes that are very green, bitter, shrivelled or heavily sprouted. Removing the green skin alone may not make a severely affected potato safe.
How long can potatoes last?
| Storage condition | Approximate shelf life |
|---|---|
| Cool, dark, well-ventilated place | Several weeks |
| Warm kitchen environment | Often shorter; inspect frequently |
| Cooked potatoes in the fridge | 3–4 days |
Extra tip: In Nigeria’s warm climate, potatoes may spoil or sprout faster. Store smaller quantities in the coolest, darkest and driest part of your kitchen, with good ventilation.
The golden rule: Keep potatoes cool, dark, dry and well ventilated.