9
You can tell when potatoes are bad by certain signs of ageing or spoilage. They are then no longer suitable for consumption.
When are potatoes bad?
You can tell when potatoes have gone bad or are spoiled by certain signs of spoilage or ageing. You should no longer eat them because they are no longer suitable for consumption. Unfortunately, there is no best-before date on potatoes and other vegetables, so you have to rely on your smell and your eyes.
- If the potatoes mould is growing on them, you should definitely not eat them. Mold can be harmful to your health and even cutting away moldy spots is no guarantee that the potato should still be eaten.
- If potatoes develop dark spots, discoloration or a green color you should discard them.
- The green color is a sign of solanine, a toxic substance that may have built up in high concentrations.
- If potatoes have an unusual or foul odor you should no longer use them.
- If potatoes become soft and wrinkly, this is a sign that they have lost their freshness. However, you may still be able to use them;
- You should also be careful with potatoes with red spots and, if in doubt, avoid eating them.
This can be due to pigmentation and sunburn, but also rust and blotch disease. In most cases, you can cut out the spots, but if they have an unpleasant odor, you should refrain from eating them. - When potatoes rot and a slimy substance forms, they are no longer edible.
- Check your potatoes regularly and sort out bad ones to protect the rest. Proper storage in a cool, dark place with ventilation or in a suitable potato pot will keep the potatoes fresh for longer.
Then you can still eat the potatoes
Of course, you don’t necessarily have to throw away older potatoes. Depending on the degree of ageing, you will have to decide whether the potatoes are bad or not. After all, potatoes can be stored well for months.
- Potatoes can sprout, especially in warm and bright places. Large sprouts should be cut out generously. Small sprouts are normally harmless.
- If potatoes are only slightly soft, they can usually still be eaten after the soft spots have been generously removed. This is often the case with potatoes that have been stored for a long time but have not yet rotted.
- However, caution is advised, as soft potatoes often spoil more quickly than firmer potatoes.
