The invention of the refrigerator was a great way to preserve the freshness of your food. It made life simpler and working in the kitchen became easier. Now, you can make food in advance and consume it accordingly, all thanks to the fridge. You can store curries, raw veggies, cheese, milk, and so much more.
But did you know that not all foods are suitable to be stored in a refrigerator? Storing potatoes or more specifically, boiled potatoes in the fridge is not a good idea since it poses many problems and risks. Here are 5 reasons why it is best to store potatoes at room temperature:
Change In Flavour
One of the key problems with storing boiled potatoes in the fridge is that the flavour of the potatoes changes. The fridge significantly neutralises the flavours of the potatoes and the cold temperature causes less appetising and bland potatoes. Therefore, to preserve the flavour and taste of your boiled potatoes, it is always recommended to store them at room temperature and not in the refrigerator.
Hinders The Nutritional Profile
Apart from interfering with the flavour, storing the boiled potatoes also significantly lowers their nutritional value. Potatoes are packed with many nutrients and exposure to lower temperatures has the potential to disrupt and degrade many nutrients, like vitamin C. Therefore, store them at room temperature to preserve the nutrients in the potatoes.
Change In Texture
Not only does refrigeration of boiled potatoes cause altered flavour and a loss of nutrients, but it also changes the texture of the boiled potatoes. The reason behind this is that the cold temperatures of the fridge cause the starch in the potatoes to transform into a crystalline form.
Due to this, the potatoes end up having a grainy texture when they are reheated again. This change in texture could easily break your recipes, as you won't get the same creamy consistency from the potatoes.
Acrylamide Levels
Acrylamide is a harmful chemical that forms when potatoes are heated during boiling or roasting. Therefore, boiling them to store them in the refrigerator and then reheating them when you intend to use them could lead to higher production of this chemical.
Therefore, storing them at room temperature and directly using them without reheating can help prevent the formation of the chemical.
May Lead To Spoilage
Contrary to popular belief, refrigerated boiled potatoes deteriorate faster. The conversion of starches into sugars can result in an unpleasant, sweet taste due to the chilly environment. A cold, dark pantry is a better storage option for boiled potatoes to maintain their freshness.
The general advice is to always store and keep your boiled potatoes at room temperature, consume them as quickly as possible and make sure to avoid storing them in a fridge.