Do Potatoes Go Bad? How Long Do It Last? [Best Answer] in 2023

Potatoes are a staple food in many homes. They are inexpensive, versatile, and can be used in a variety of dishes. However, there are lots of questions concerning potatoes, such as if they can spoil or not, how long they last, and how to store them properly.

If you asked yourself these questions, then you are at the right place. We will discuss all these questions and more in the following article.

Do Potatoes Go bad?

The answer to this question is yes, potatoes can go bad. They are considered a vegetable and when left out in the open for too long, they will eventually spoil. You will notice that they start to rot and become soft.

If you want to know more about how long it takes for potatoes to go bad or spoil, then read on.

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How Long Do Potatoes Last?

The shelf life of potatoes depends on how you store them. Potatoes can last for months if kept in a cool, dark place with the exception of Sweet Potatoes, which only last for two to three weeks after purchase.

The longevity of potatoes can also depend on the type of potatoes at hand. Some types of potatoes, such as russets, can sit in your pantry for months. But others, like red potatoes, don’t keep as long and should be used within a couple of weeks.

You can store potatoes in a cool, dark, dry place for several months. However, if you want to extend their shelf life even further, you can follow the next section of our articles to learn exactly how to store potatoes.

How To Store Potatoes?

Storing potatoes is pretty straightforward, they don’t require much to stay intact for as long as you need, so you will find it easy to keep them for a long time.

To store potatoes, keep them in a cool, dark place with plenty of ventilation. Do not put potatoes in the fridge, as they will turn black and develop a strong odor.

If you have to store your potatoes in the fridge it is best to wrap them individually in a newspaper or a brown paper bag. You should also check your potatoes regularly for any signs of root rot, which will cause the potato to shrivel and harden.

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How To Tell If Potatoes Have Gone Bad?

It is important to learn how to tell if your potatoes have gone bad. This will not only ensure that your spuds are good and healthy for you, but it will also ensure that you’re not wasting food. So keep reading to find out how to tell if your potatoes have gone bad.

There are telltale signs of spoilage for potatoes, they mainly look, smell, and sprout.

Looks

The look of a potato can tell you a lot about it. Potatoes that have turned green in color are usually considered spoiled. Such potatoes cannot be eaten and should be thrown away.

The green coloring is caused by the presence of a toxin called solanine, which is found in potatoes when they are exposed to light for a prolonged period of time. In most cases, the small amount of solanine found in spoiled potatoes is not harmful, but it can cause stomach problems or headaches when consumed in large quantities.

Smell

The smell isn’t the best indicator of spoilage, yet, it’s still one of them. All you need is to take a whiff. Potatoes are usually earthly and don’t have this strong of an odor. However, when they spoil you can start noticing an upsetting smell.

Sprouting

Potatoes that have sprouts are still okay to use, cutting the sprout is usually enough to take care of it. But things get worse when the sprout is too big. If all of your potatoes are sprouted, it’s safer to just buy a new patch instead of using potentially risky potatoes in your recipes.

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Is It Okay To Eat Sprouted Potatoes?

This question really hits the nail. Some people say that it’s sufficient to remove the sprout from the potatoes and consume it as normal. Others avoid it together.

The answer isn’t an exact yes or not, cause it depends on how bad the sprouting is, as well as the storage conditions that caused the sprouting in the first place.

When potatoes sprout, they produce some compounds called glycoalkaloid. These glycoalkaloids are safe in small amounts, and your body can deal with them easily if consumed. However, when a potato is left for too long to sprout, the number of glycoalkaloids increases drastically, causing adverse effects when consumed.

This means the longer you leave a potato to sprout, the more likely it will cause adverse effects when used, and cutting off the sprout won’t actually help according to National Poison Control.

Wrapping up

Potatoes are a household stable for everyone. Storing it in patches is common practice, this is why it’s important to know if your potatoes can spoil or not, as well as how to store it in a more proper fashion so it lasts as long as you need. Knowing the signs of spoilage is also essential, and we settled the controversy concerning sprouted potatoes.

If you still have any questions to ask, feel free to put your question in the comments below and we will reply as soon as possible. Thanks for reading and have a good day!

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