Why shouldn't potatoes be kept in the refrigerator?

1. 93

   Blond Logicposted 10 years ago

   Why shouldn't potatoes be kept in the refrigerator?
   
   If I leave them out, they begin to grow or rot. I have read it isn't advisable to keep them in the fridge, but why is this?
   
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2. 60

   nanette betteposted 10 years ago

   Potatoes in my experiance, do nicely inside the frig or out if its not too hot. I do know they last longer in the frig when its hot. And duriing the winter its best to keep them outside if the climate is cool

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I tend to keep mine in the fridge as I am in the tropics and it is always warm and humid, exactly what you don't want  to keep them fresh.
      Thanks for your answer.

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3. 75

   Janis Goadposted 10 years ago

   When my potatoes start to grow, inside or outside the fridge, I plant them.  Every sprouted eye grows into a new plant, with fresh baby potatoes at the roots.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Baby potatoes are wonderful.

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4. 97

   DrMark1961posted 10 years ago

   Hi BlondLogic this is not an answer to your question but I thought I would pass on a suggestion since you live in Ceara and the potatoes are probably as expensive there as they are in Bahia. For most recipes, you can use green bananas instead of potatoes. They taste about the same and have the same texture.
   Harvest your bananas the week before they ripen. (If they are yellow they are no good and dont cook up like potatoes.)
   They have latex at that point so when you peel use rubber kitchen gloves or something else to keep your hands clean. Some people are allergic to the latex. (It is the same stuff that comes out of mangoes when you are picking them.)
   If you guys do not have bananas on your sitio you can buy green bananas for about one real per caixa (about a dozen). A lot better than taters!

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      The potatoes here are good but as you say can be expensive. I think I pay between R$4.50-5.50 a kilo. I have never heard of using the bananas. I have some green ones on a plant in the back so will give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

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   2. 57

      randallstisobelposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, green plantains are an excellent alternative to tubers.  They have a good creamy texture, great for soups.  Once they are yellow and have too much sugar, they don't cook the same way, though some have a taste for it.

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5. 68

   Mazzy Boleroposted 10 years ago

   I do keep my potatoes in the refrigerator because I like to buy organic ones and outside of it they sprout.
   
   However, I have read that, while potatoes don't last as long kept outside the fridge, they taste better.  Apparently, if they are kept at a temperature of 34-38 degrees Fahrenheit - as most refrigerators would be - the starches in them turn to sugars too quickly and cause black marks to form on the potatoes.  Potatoes do best when stored at a temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
   For most people, this isn't always possible. The temperature in the kitchen/larder is higher than 45 degrees, especially during summer, while the temperature in the refrigerator is lower. You can't win either way:)
   
   I guess if you want optimum potato flavor, either grow them yourself or don't buy such large bags that you have to store them.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      My kitchen is way above 45°F. I do tend to buy in small quantities though. Thank you for explaining the advantages and disadvantages.of keeping them in and outside the fridge.

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6. 83

   liesl5858posted 10 years ago

   Hello! BlondLogic, Best thing to do is not to buy too much and just buy enough. I do it myself I keep potatoes in the fridge but you say it is not good. If we leave them outside they sprout and grow after a while. We can't be growing potatoes all the time, can we?

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I think buying little and often is probably the best idea.  Often our local shops only get a delivery once a week and it isn't always on the same day. The best bet is flexibility with menu planning. Thanks for your answer.

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7. 68

   Sue Baileyposted 10 years ago

   Your potatoes will most definitely last much longer in the refrigerator. However they will turn sweet as the cold temperature converts the starch to sugar.  Fine if you like sweet tasting potatoes.  I don't personally.

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your answer Sue.

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8. 73

   Abby Campbellposted 10 years ago

   Potatoes need to be kept cool but not "cold." If placed in the refrigerator, potatoes will convert from starch to sugar which affects their texture, the way they cook, as well as their flavor. Back in the olden days, potatoes were kept in a cellar where it was cool. They would last longer than having them stored in a room temperature of 68 degrees which is typical for most Americans. Potatoes actually do better in temperatures around 45 degrees which is over 20 degrees less than what we are actually storing them at. Your best bet is to not buy too many at one time, store them in brown bag, and place in dark cupboard. Then you shall have fresher potatoes for longer. :-)

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   1. 93

      Blond Logicposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I will have to buy fewer. With just two of us, we don't get through many however my house is normally in the mid to high 80's and often quite humid. Maybe that is why rice is eaten widely here.  It is easier to store. Thanks for your explanation Abby

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9. 62

   Firdousia Sudheerposted 10 years ago

   Refrigeration can cause potatoes to darken during cooking and to develop an unpleasantly sweet taste. The reason is that the chilly environment of the fridge helps to convert the potato’s starch to sugar.
   
   If you store your potatoes in the pantry, on the other hand, you won’t have that problem. At normal room temperatures, they’ll keep for about one to two weeks.

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