Potatoes: how to prevent them from sprouting?

Stir-fried, steamed, mashed, in pancakes… Potatoes are easy to cook in all their forms. This is why we appreciate having always in reserve.

However, it is not uncommon for them to end up sprouting when they have been forgotten for some time. Fortunately, there are a few tips to curb this natural phenomenon.

To sort

After having bought or harvested potatoes, the first instinct to have is to sort them. We must put aside those which are green, following prolonged exposure to the sun, or damaged, because they risk accelerating the germination of others.

keep them well

Then, it is essential to keep them away from light, humidity, and in a cool place. The ideal is to store this tuber vegetable, which is eaten as a starch, in a pantry or cellar.

You can also store them under the sink, but especially not in the refrigerator. And for good reason, the starch in potatoes tends to transform more quickly into sugar under the effect of the cold, which makes their texture grainy after cooking.

put an apple in the middle of the potatoes

Also be careful not to put them on the ground, but in a wicker basket, or in a burlap bag. On the other hand, do not hesitate to place an apple or two in the middle of the potatoes, depending on the quantity.

This fruit gives off a gas called ethylene which will prevent the germination of this food rich in starches. Conversely, do not put onions near your stock as this will cause it to germinate more quickly.