One potato storage hack makes vegetable last 'all winter long' if kept in one area
28.09.2023 - 13:19
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
With autumn in full swing, dropping temperatures may impact the shelf life of your favourite fruits and vegetables.
Food waste is a problem for many UK households as roughly 281,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables are discarded every year - with most being thrown away during the colder months. Not only is this bad for the environment, with food prices on the rise it also doesn't help the bank account.
Luckily, one expert has shared how to store different fruits and vegetables correctly - including the robust potato. Considering an estimated 7.1 million Britons wrongly storing their food, it's important to know how to keep things fresh.
According to Vlatka Late, storage expert at self-storage operator Space Station, potatoes need to be stored in a certain way, whether they are supermarket bought or home grown. If improperly kept, the tubers risk going soft, sprouting and even growing mould.
According to Vlatka, potatoes keep for “the longest” when stored in a cool, dry, dark place as exposure to moisture and light can “cause rotting”.
The same goes for other root vegetables such as carrots and turnips. The expert claimed: “Storing them this way ensures they’ll be good for weeks, or possibly all winter long.”
The Express reports that unlike many other vegetables, potatoes also need to be well-ventilated so avoid any airtight containers.
With cooler temperatures setting in, Vlatka has shared some advice on how to store five other autumn fruits and vegetables.
To “properly” store spinach and kale, wash them, and wrap them in a paper towel to soak up any excess water as this will cause “premature mould”.
Vlatka warned: “If your spinach is not in an airtight container, you must make sure you don't store it adjacent or near to