Among the various sprouted vegetables, sprouted potatoes are particularly toxic. Potato sprouts produce a toxin called solanine, which can corrode the stomach, cause hemolysis, and paralyze the nervous system. Regular cooking methods cannot eliminate this toxin. Some people opt to cut away the parts surrounding the sprout, but this may not effectively remove the toxin.

On the other hand, sprouted sweet potatoes are non-toxic, unless the tuber is moldy. Moldy sweet potatoes can produce the toxin ipomeamarone, resulting in a bitter taste.

Although sprouted sweet potatoes can be consumed, if there are signs of deterioration, they should be discarded immediately. Moreover, the nutritional value of sprouted sweet potatoes decreases as the vitamins and minerals are utilized to nourish the sprout. The taste also diminishes compared to freshly harvested sweet potatoes.

While edible, sprouted sweet potatoes will not taste as good as freshly harvested ones.

Sweet potato sprouts themselves are non-toxic, but when stored for extended periods, especially in humid environments, they become susceptible to mold. If black or brown spots appear on the tuber, with or without sprouts, it indicates the presence of toxins, specifically ipomeamarone.

You can consume sweet potatoes that are just beginning to sprout and show no signs of black spots or mold. However, if the sprouts are well-developed, it is advisable to discard them as the nutritional value has likely decreased, and the taste will be significantly altered. On the other hand, sweet potatoes with signs of rot or black spots should be avoided altogether.

Research indicates that sweet potatoes stored at around 21°C for several weeks will start to sprout. Higher temperatures accelerate this process. This is a normal biological mechanism for sweet potatoes.

Conversely, sweet potatoes stored at temperatures between 12-14°C will not sprout.

To maintain optimal taste and texture, it is recommended to avoid refrigerating sweet potatoes. The low temperatures can negatively impact their quality.

If you choose not to consume sprouted sweet potatoes, you can utilize them as houseplants. Simply submerge a portion of the tuber in water, and the sprouts will gradually grow into an attractive potted plant. Alternatively, you can use the sprouted sweet potatoes as seeds and plant them in soil to cultivate a new crop.

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