Potatoes are a kitchen staple, perfect for everything from Sunday roasts to warming winter stews. However, if stored incorrectly, they can quickly turn into a mushy, mouldy mess destined for the bin. The good news is that a remarkably simple household item can extend their life dramatically.
The Secret to Long-Lasting Spuds
According to food experts at Tesco Real Food, potatoes can maintain their quality for an impressive six months when stored properly. The key is to avoid the common mistake of leaving them in a plastic bag, which traps moisture and accelerates decay. Instead, the solution involves using something most households have to hand: newspaper.
The method is a form of curing. Potatoes often sustain minor damage during harvesting, and curing allows the skin to heal. This process minimises water loss and significantly reduces the risk of rot, making the tubers much more resilient during long-term storage.
How to Store Potatoes with Newspaper
Implementing this storage hack is straightforward. First, find a cool, dark, and well-ventilated spot, such as a pantry, cupboard, or a dedicated drawer.
Next, line the area with sheets of newspaper. Place your potatoes on the paper, ensuring they do not touch each other. This spacing is crucial as it allows air to circulate freely around each potato, preventing moisture build-up and bruising. For neatness, you can use a basket or a cardboard box lined with newspaper.
Regularly check your stored potatoes for any signs of spoilage. By keeping them in these ideal conditions—away from light, heat, and damp—you encourage the skins to toughen up. This simple step transforms them from a perishable item that lasts mere weeks into a durable staple that can see you through months.
Why Plastic Bags Are a Potato's Worst Enemy
Storing potatoes in a sealed plastic bag is one of the quickest ways to ruin them. As potatoes naturally release moisture over time, a non-breathable plastic bag locks this water in. The resulting humid environment, combined with a lack of airflow, creates the perfect breeding ground for mould—the most common reason potatoes are thrown away.
Newspaper, or any breathable paper, solves this problem perfectly. It absorbs excess moisture and allows for ample ventilation, keeping the potatoes dry. This easy, cost-effective method not only prevents waste but also means you can buy in bulk and save money, especially during costly holiday seasons.
Taking a few extra minutes to properly cure and store your potatoes with newspaper is a small effort for a significant reward: fresh, usable spuds for half the year, with no spoilage in sight.
