If possible, you should not eat the potato peel.Image: iStockphoto / cobalt
Everyday question
The potato is very popular in Germany. It is a member of the nightshade family and is full of vitamins, minerals and starch. In addition, it hardly counts any calories and contains almost no fat. That’s why the potato’s image as a “fattening food” is entirely unjustified.
The plant is used as an ingredient in numerous dishes. One recipe recently went particularly viral on Tiktok: There was a lot of hype about the “Smashed Potatoes”. So it’s no wonder that the plant is often on the shopping list and is stored in bags full in households.
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However, if stored incorrectly, potatoes can begin to germinate and develop white-greenish shoots. Are they still edible or do they have to be thrown in the trash?
Germs on the tuber – this is how they form
Problem: Potato gratin is on the menu for dinner. But when washing the tubers, individual green spots can be observed. Something resembling a small root grows on the shell.
Potatoes with sprouts can be harmful to your health.Image: iStockphoto / Ohotnik
If the description matches the appearance of your potato, then it contains high levels of the toxin solanine. This is mainly found in the shell and repels pathogens and pests. The substance is created and reproduces through exposure to light. This means that you stored the plant too long and in too light.
Now you should be careful: Solanine in higher concentrations is not safe for humans. The toxin can cause headaches, a scratchy throat, nausea or diarrhea.
This does not mean that a potato has to end up in the trash if it has two small, green spots. To destroy solanine, simply cooking it through is still not enough. In this case, you can peel and cut the parts so that no discoloration can be seen. Now you can enjoy the potato without worry and continue preparing your dish.
Attention: You should no longer eat the potato in this condition
If the tuber already has several green spots and many long shoots, you can no longer save it. To protect yourself from illness, you should stay away from it. But you don’t have to throw the plant away: Instead, you can use it as a seed potato and grow potatoes yourself.
The rule of thumb is: If the sprouts are no longer than one centimeter long, you can eat the potato without any concerns. This is confirmed by the health insurance company AOK. Otherwise it is no longer particularly valuable in terms of nutrition – the germs rob the tuber of important nutrients.
Also make sure that you don’t eat the peel. This is where most toxins accumulate. In addition, you should not continue to use the cooking water from the potatoes. Solanine is water-soluble and is not eliminated by cooking.
How to store potatoes correctly:
- You should place the potatoes in a dry, cool, and dark place. A cellar is ideal for this.
- Many people believe that potatoes need to be stored in the refrigerator. But at a temperature below four degrees Celsius it converts starch into sugar – which then makes it taste sweet when consumed.
- The tubers should not remain in the foil bag from the supermarket. Without air supply, moisture can develop and the potatoes will start to mold. A better home is a net or a box.
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