Potatoes

[Dicky Knee]

When I was a kid, maybe 40 years ago, my nan used to have a sack of spuds that lasted for weeks in the scullery. Now when I buy a bag at the supermarket they are sprouting in 2 or 3 days. What has changed- the variety, storage, washing or something else?

As an aside, all the veggies I bought have a use by of less than 3 days- is that to make me shop twice a week?

[Mobile Chicane]

This is one of my major gripes too.

I'm sure you'll remember that potatoes were historically sold with mud on, in a large paper sack which could breathe. Stored somewhere cool, they would remain dormant for ages, moreover get 'flourier' as the winter progressed. Perfect for mash and roasties.

I think the answer still is to buy them from the farm gate, or grow your own. The problem being storage since most homes built in the last 100 years don't have cellars or larders.

Potatoes do not want to be kept in the fridge - it turns them sweetish and slimy. Unfortunately I think most supermarket offerings have already been refridgerated.

[steveT350C]

I always get Maris Pipers from tesco. In a deep plastic veg drawer in the fridge, laid on top of a couple of sheets of kitchen roll. Easily last 2 weeks if we have been away for a week. Get eaten otherwise.

[jogon]

Can't remember what show it was but a few months ago on tv they mentioned that some supermarkets spuds are from last season or even a year old and they simply store them under certain conditions to preserve and then sell them as stocks require.

[mrsshpub]

Dicky Knee said:

As an aside, all the veggies I bought have a use by of less than 3 days- is that to make me shop twice a week?

I doubt that veggies have a 'use by' date, more likely a 'best before' date — which means that they can safely be eaten after that date.

[Adenauer]

They're still sold here in Germany, 'Einkellerungs Kartoffeln'. Basically you have the choice at our supermarkets to buy the smaller plastic bags of potatoes (for sake of convenience) that will start to sprout within a few days, or you can buy the 10 - 20kg nets of potatoes that will last for ages if you store them in the cellar.

[BoRED S2upid]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

Aldi / Lidl potatoes.

They last for weeks and weeks.

This and keep them in a cool dark place a good month till they even start to sprout.

Quick question when they start to sprout it's ok to cut off the sprouts and eat isn't it? I haven't died yet.

[LordGrover]

Mobile Chicane said:

This is one of my major gripes too.

I'm sure you'll remember that potatoes were historically sold with mud on, in a large paper sack which could breathe. Stored somewhere cool, they would remain dormant for ages, moreover get 'flourier' as the winter progressed. Perfect for mash and roasties.

I think the answer still is to buy them from the farm gate, or grow your own. The problem being storage since most homes built in the last 100 years don't have cellars or larders.

Potatoes do not want to be kept in the fridge - it turns them sweetish and slimy. Unfortunately I think most supermarket offerings have already been refridgerated.

1/2.cwt was less than a fiver until recently.
When I were a lad, the Sunday morning run was into nearby countryside to buy taters, eggs, milk, etc from the market gardens/farms.

[Dicky Knee]

mrsshpub said:

Dicky Knee said:

As an aside, all the veggies I bought have a use by of less than 3 days- is that to make me shop twice a week?

I doubt that veggies have a 'use by' date, more likely a 'best before' date — which means that they can safely be eaten after that date.

You are right. Best before although they also seem to be fine after.

As for the spuds, I think it maybe that they go from cold storage into the kitchen which is a little warmer but enough to trigger the sprouting process. Maybe they do have to be stored in the fridge to stop that. Or buy them from the farm where they haven't been in cold storage.