Why You Should Never Store Potatoes in the Fridge

Potatoes are common ingredients used in kitchens across the US, but their storage isn’t as straightforward as simply placing them inside the fridge for better preservation. Even though it sounds logical, studies have found that placing your potatoes under cold temperatures may affect their taste, texture, and cooking.

This information becomes critical for those who like gardening and cooking at home because improper storage may affect the quality of their potatoes, making them taste too sweet or become mealy while baking.

Why the Fridge Can Backfire

While refrigeration can hinder sprouting, it can also result in a process referred to by food science experts as cold-induced sweetening. The study featured in the Journal of Food Engineering shows that extremely low temperature storage leads to the degradation of the starches into sugars such as glucose and fructose.

The build-up of the sugars is a big concern as soon as there is exposure to heat.

In the process of roasting, frying, or air frying, the reducing sugars react with amino acids in a process referred to as the Maillard reaction. Browning is an important aspect of the cooking process, but too much of it might result in brown-colored fries with bitter flavors. This explains why many specialists do not recommend storing potatoes in a regular fridge at home since temperatures are below 40°F.

Texture Takes a Hit Too

It is not the only thing impacted by the refrigeration of potatoes. Research published in the journal Food Research International indicates that even the texture of potatoes could be affected by storing them at cold temperatures, resulting in softer potatoes that lack a pleasant bite and might even become gritty rather than creamy.

For those who value fluffy mashed potatoes or crispy roast potatoes, the differences will matter.
The effect can be seen visually as well, with refrigerated potatoes typically browning more easily when cooked and possibly losing some of their flesh color.

What Happens to Nutrients

Low temperatures can also impact nutritional value. As shown by some research mentioned by the USDA, the low-temperature storage of potatoes might decrease their vitamin C content and increase their sugar content. Even though potatoes can still be healthy foods, such alterations can influence flavor and expected attributes of fresh foods.

Such factors as potato type, speed of cooling, and period of time during which storage occurs can vary significantly, but are not expected to change the general result.

Where Potatoes Should Be Stored Instead

Where do they store it? They suggest keeping potatoes in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space at around 46°F to 54°F.
This could be a basement, cellar, pantry, or any other part of the house where the temperature is reasonably low for most homes. The best containers would include a paper bag, a mesh sack, or an open basket, rather than airtight plastic bags.

Light is an important factor as well. It can make potatoes green and produce solanine, a bitter-tasting natural substance that may become toxic in higher quantities. All in all, keep potatoes cool, not frozen; dry, not moist; dark, yet ventilated.

Common Storage Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is putting potatoes straight into the refrigerator after purchasing them. Secondly, storing potatoes in plastic bags obtained from the store is wrong since they retain moisture, accelerating the process of spoilage.

Storing potatoes alongside onions is another common mistake since both vegetables release moisture and gases that accelerate the spoilage process. Lastly, although many people like buying potatoes in bulk and leaving them untouched for long periods, checking on them frequently ensures that the remaining ones remain fresh.

Variety Matters More Than You Think

Other potatoes also happen to last better. As per sensory studies reported in Potato Research, certain types of potatoes that have desirable starch qualities tend to maintain their taste and texture well during storage.
This means that selecting potatoes can be equally important as selecting the storage location. Although storing potatoes in the refrigerator sounds like a clever idea, scientific research reveals that this practice can actually end up damaging the taste and texture.

If you want your potatoes to stay intact and make delicious fries and mash, keep them in a cool and dry place rather than the fridge. A small trick in the kitchen can sometimes turn out to be an effective one at the dining table.