Signs Your Potatoes Have Gone Bad
We've all been there. You're prepping dinner, reach for a seemingly perfect potato, and discover a cluster of black spots lurking beneath the skin. Panic sets in. Is your spud suddenly a health hazard? Should you toss it in the compost bin, or can you salvage the situation? Keep reading to get the scoop on this potential health hazard!
Safe or Poisonous Threat?
Most often, those black spots are nothing more than harmless bruises or high concentrations of sugar. Potatoes can get bumped and jostled during their journey from farm to table. These bumps cause internal browning, similar to how a banana bruises. The culprit? Melanin, which is the same pigment that gives our skin its color.
Sometimes, black spots are caused by high sugar concentrations within the potato. These black spots can occur due to stress during growth, improper storage, or even a natural fluctuation in sugar levels.
According to the Idaho Potato Commission experts, sometimes black spots are a cosmetic issue and pose no threat to your health. However, they can also be early signs of decay. While the black spots could be harmless after cooking, it may be better not to take the chance and cut off and discard any discoloration.
When a Potato Truly Goes Bad
Let's talk about signs of a genuinely rotten potato. You'll want to watch out for these telltale signs of a potato gone bad to avoid making yourself (or others!) sick.
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Mushy Texture: A good potato should be firm to the touch. If it yields easily under pressure, it's past its prime.
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Foul Odor: You shouldn't need to get too close to detect a rotten potato. If it emits a foul odor, discard it immediately.
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Widespread Discoloration: Black spots are one thing, but widespread discoloration across the skin is a bad sign.
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Long Sprouts: While short, stubby sprouts are harmless, long, green sprouts indicate the potato is converting its starches to sugars and is on its way out.
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Wrinkled Skin: A plump, taut skin signifies freshness. Wrinkled skin suggests dehydration and spoilage.
Storing Spuds for Success
To prevent those black spots in the first place, store your potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. Avoid storing them near onions or apples, as the ethylene gas these fruits emit can accelerate spoilage in potatoes.
A good rule of thumb when cooking is better safe than sorry. But it is important to understand what constitutes a health hazard versus a cosmetic flaw to save time and money and keep your stomach full.
References: Can I Eat Potatoes with Black Spots? | How to tell if potatoes are bad?| How Long Do Potatoes Last?|What Are Those Dark Spots On Your Potato?
