How to Pick a Potato

When picking potatoes to make a great dish, it’s important to pick the most quality spuds. Here are a few ways to make the most out of your potatoes and keep them fresh for your next meal.

At the Store

The best way to tell the difference between a good and bad potato at the store is to employ the “Triple-S Method” of Spots, Softness, and Sprouts.

First, look for any green spots on the potato. These spots indicate that the potato has begun producing solanine, a toxin harmful to humans that helps protect the vegetable against bacteria and insects. 

It’s also important to squeeze the potato for firmness. As with many fruits and vegetables, potatoes will become softer inside the older they get. Although this isn’t necessarily a bad thing as long as it’s not shriveled or moldy, it usually means that you have a shorter time to prepare and eat them.

Finally, check for any sprouts on the potato. Sprouts on a potato usually mean that the vegetable is more mature and starting to go past its prime. As long as the potato isn’t covered in sprouts and is still firm, you shouldn’t have any problem cutting the sprouts off and proceeding with your potato prep.

At Home

So, now that you have a firm spud with no green spots and sprouts, where do you put them? Potatoes can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Keep your potatoes in a bag, box, or bowl to allow the potatoes to breathe and stay fresh. It’s not recommended to keep them in the refrigerator, because the starch can turn into sugar and make your potato sweeter (not in a sweet potato way, in a weird, off-tasting way).

Now that you’re a potato picking expert, there’s nothing left but to cook and enjoy.