Sweet potatoes are an important staple food that can be made into many delicious dishes. Sweet potatoes can be boiled, steamed, fried, baked, made into cakes, and used in soups… all are very delicious. They provide a lot of protein, unsaturated fatty acids, carotene, phosphorus, potassium, calcium…
Many people often buy sweet potatoes to store and eat gradually, without having to go to the market many times. However, if sweet potatoes are left for a few days, they will sprout, wither, and become wrinkled. These potatoes have reduced quality and will no longer taste good when cooked.
To keep sweet potatoes for a long time, please refer to the instructions below.
How to store sweet potatoes
Do not wash the potatoes with water when you bring them home. If the potatoes have soil on the outside and the soil is wet, you should let the potatoes dry for a day before storing them.
Note that if you sunbathe the potatoes, you should not sunbathe them for too long. Just sunbathe until the outer soil layer is dry. Sunbathing for too long will cause the potatoes to wither and lose moisture.
Prepare a wooden box with partitions.
Line a layer of newspaper at the bottom of the box. Then, take a tissue paper, put baking soda inside, and wrap it tightly. Put the baking soda packet into the box and arrange the sweet potatoes on top. Do not pour all the potatoes into the box at once, but stack them neatly one by one. After each layer of potatoes, lay a layer of newspaper and add a baking soda packet. Do this until all the purchased potatoes are used up.
Finally, close the box lid and store it in a dry, airy place. It is best to place a few bricks under the box to prevent the potatoes from coming into direct contact with the ground.
With this storage method, you can keep sweet potatoes fresh for about six months. The longer the potatoes are stored, the sweeter they become.
Some notes when storing sweet potatoes
– Do not put sweet potatoes in the refrigerator
The low temperature in the refrigerator will change the structure of the potato cells, making the core of the potatoes harder. This makes the potatoes, even when cooked, not as soft as desired. It is best to keep the potatoes in a cool, dark place.
– Do not wash potatoes when storing
To prevent the potatoes from rotting, you must keep the potatoes dry. Only wash the potatoes when you are ready to use them.
Boiled sweet potatoes are a delicious and beneficial food for weight loss for women. However, not everyone knows how to boil them in such a way that they are fragrant, tasty, and not soggy.
Frequently asked questions
To store sweet potatoes for longer freshness, cure them by exposing to sunlight or artificial light for a few hours, then keep them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, preferably in a single layer with some space around each potato. Avoid stacking them or keeping them in plastic bags, and do not refrigerate raw sweet potatoes as they become sticky and develop a bad taste.
The ideal temperature for storing sweet potatoes is between 55-60°F (13-16°C) with a humidity level of 85-90%. Higher temperatures and humidity can cause sprouting and rotting, while lower temperatures can lead to a hard center and an off-flavor.
Raw sweet potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator as it can alter their taste and texture. However, cooked sweet potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 12 months. To freeze, blanch the potatoes first, then store them in airtight containers or freezer bags.
Properly stored sweet potatoes can last for several weeks to a few months. Cured sweet potatoes stored in a cool, dry place can last for 2-3 months, while those stored in ideal temperature and humidity conditions can last even longer, up to 5-6 months.
Sweet potatoes have gone bad when they become soft, mushy, or develop an unpleasant odor. If they have mold or a thick layer of sprouts, they should be discarded. Some discoloration or small sprouts can be cut off, but if the potato is shriveled or has an off-odor, it’s best to throw it out.
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