The goal in storing potatoes is to keep them from “waking up”
Effectively storing potatoes does not require any special equipment or expertise. However, following a few simple guidelines on the best way to store potatoes will keep your potatoes fresh and tasty for as long as possible.
Farmer’s Promise® supplies a wide range of potato and onion varieties to grocery outlets across North America. While each potato variety reacts slightly differently to various environmental conditions, there are some general tips that apply across the board.
Light is one of the primary variables you want to control when determining the best way to store potatoes. We package our potatoes in bags that limit the amount of light that gets in so as not to “wake up” the potatoes. Exposure to any kind of light (natural or artificial) can cause potatoes to produce chlorophyll and take on a green tint. A substance called solanine that results from chlorophyll formation produces a bitter taste you want to avoid.
Cool, but not cold is the best temperature for storing potatoes
The temperature at which you store your potatoes is the other major factor in how long they will last. Along with light, warm temperatures can also awaken potatoes and encourage chlorophyll formation. The best way to store potatoes is in the range of 45-55 degrees – cool enough to discourage the production of bitter-tasting chemicals and warm enough to avoid the watery consistency that can develop from freezing.
Even storing potatoes in a refrigerator is not a good long-term solution as temperatures in the 30s allows starches in the potatoes to break down into sugars. This can affect the flavor, and typically not in a favorable way. It is possible to freeze potatoes, but we recommend boiling or roasting them first, and then letting them cool before freezing.
Potatoes stored in the Goldilocks zone of 45-55 degrees should allow them to last for several weeks. Take a few minutes to browse through the recipes tab on this site. You will see a large collection of recipes created to maximize your enjoyment of our delicious potatoes and onions.
About Farmer’s Promise®
Farmer’s Promise® farmers produce a wide range of potatoes and onions as a member of the Grimmway Produce family of brands. Check with your local grocer or visit Instacart.com for your nearest Farmer’s Promise® grocery source.
