Potatoes are not easy to store. You can put them in the dark, but that doesn’t prevent them from sprouting. How do you store potatoes properly?
That’s exactly what we’re going to talk about in this article.
Potatoes are an important source of food. Poorly stored potatoes can sprout and develop a harmful substance called solanine. So it’s important to know the ideal conditions for storing potatoes.
Basic principles of good storage
Potatoes, like all plants, are living organisms.
So, even after they’ve been harvested, potatoes continue to breathe and evolve. This process is guided by the environment in which they will be stored.
Consequently, storage conditions have a direct influence on their rate of respiration and, by extension, on their lifespan.
- Temperature plays a crucial role. High temperatures accelerate the respiration process, which can lead to rapid degradation of the potatoes.
- Humidity can encourage the development of mould and rot, and exposure to light can also stimulate the production of solanine, a harmful substance.
Optimizing storage conditions
It’s important to create the optimum storage conditions for potatoes.
Here’s what you need to check:
- Control the temperature: Ideally, potatoes should be stored at between 4 and 10 degrees Celsius.
At this temperature, the respiration process is slowed down enough to extend the potatoes’ shelf life without promoting solanine formation. - Regulate humidity: Potatoes need a slightly humid environment to maintain their turgidity. Excessive humidity can encourage the development of mold. Ideally, the relative humidity should be around 80-90%.
- Limit exposure to light: To avoid solanine production, it’s best to store potatoes in a dark place. A simple paper bag, cardboard box or cellar may suffice for this purpose.
Clever storage practices
In addition to storage conditions, there are other tips for storing potatoes for longer without encouraging sprouting.
- Don’t wash potatoes before storing: residual water can encourage the development of mould. It’s best to clean them just before use.
- Store potatoes with apples: Apples emit ethylene, a gas that slows down sprouting.
- Avoid storing potatoes near onions: Onions emit ethylene, but at higher levels that can actually accelerate potato germination.
Post-harvest treatment of potatoes
Post-harvest treatment of potatoes helps extend shelf life and prevent sprouting.
- Curing: this involves leaving the potatoes in the open air for a few days after harvesting. This allows the skin to harden, providing an effective barrier against disease and mould.
- Anti-sprouting treatment: Certain products can be used to inhibit potato sprouting. Caution is advised, however, as some of these products can have harmful effects on health.
Potato preservation is therefore all about understanding the biological principles that guide the post-harvest development of potatoes, as well as the temperature, humidity and light exposure required to adjust preservation practices. Finally, we also looked at post-harvest treatments that can help improve preservation.
