Fruits and Vegetables

Can sweet potatoes go bad? Sweet potatoes are a type of starchy root crop that’s often used in cooking and baking. Since sweet potatoes have dense, creamy texture, they have high water content. Usually, foods that have high water content tend to spoil easily. The same thing is true for sweet potatoes!

Not to be mistaken for yams, sweet potatoes are quite versatile in the kitchen. Its naturally sweet flesh makes a terrific ingredient in soups, stews, and even fillings. If you love sweet potatoes then go ahead and keep these delicious tubers in stock.

Image used under Creative Commons from Mike Mozart

Can Sweet Potatoes Go Bad?

Yes, sweet potatoes can go bad especially if they have been mixed with other ingredients. Fresh sweet potatoes will keep much longer than mashed or cooked sweet potatoes. How the products were stored will also affect the overall storage life of sweet potatoes.

If you’d like to extend the shelf life of uncooked sweet potatoes, you have to keep the tubers in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. Uncooked sweet potatoes are likely to develop sprouts if they are kept in the pantry for a long time. As such, we recommend using up your supply as soon as possible.

Signs that Sweet Potatoes Have Gone Bad

When it comes to checking if sweet potatoes have gone bad, always check for slight or significant discolorations. If the sweet potatoes start turning soft or mushy, they have gone bad. The same thing is true for sweet potatoes that turned a deep shade of brown to black. Check for weird growths through the skin or the presence of mold. If the sweet potatoes have developed an off-odor, toss the tubers in the trash.

For cooked or mashed sweet potatoes, check for the presence of mold. If the product took on an off-color or flavor, the sweet potatoes are no longer safe to eat.

How to Store Sweet Potatoes?

Uncooked and uncut sweet potatoes are best stored in the pantry. Place the product in a well-ventilated area. Keep the sweet potatoes away from sources of heat and moisture. Unopened cans of sweet potatoes are also best stored in the pantry. As for cooked sweet potatoes, it’s best to store them in the fridge. Place the product in a sealed container for optimal flavor.

Image used under Creative Commons from Marco Verch

When kept in the pantry, uncooked sweet potatoes will stay fresh for 1 to 2 months. When kept in the fridge, cooked sweet potatoes should keep for 2 to 3 months. Canned sweet potatoes will keep in the pantry for 12 months or so.

Can You Freeze Sweet Potatoes?

Yes, you can freeze uncooked and cooked sweet potatoes to extend their shelf life. Just place the product in a freezer-safe container and stick in the freezer. Sweet potatoes will keep indefinitely in the freezer so this is a great storage option if you have no plans of using up your supply in the near future. Our advice is to split the sweet potatoes into manageable portions so thawing is much less of a hassle for you.

Summary

Sweet potatoes add an extra kick of flavor and nutrients to your daily meals. These tubers are low in calories and high in antioxidants so stocking up is always a great idea. Can sweet potatoes go bad? Yes, they can go bad at some point. But as long as you stored the product properly, you don’t have to worry about the spoilage at all!

 

Potatoes are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and at the same time, they raise dozens of questions.

If you’re a young adult who just started to live on your own, you’re probably wondering how long do potatoes last and how should you store them. Or if refrigerating them helps extend their shelf life or not. Or even if when one of the vegetables in the bag is rotten then should the rest be discarded too.

If you’re a bit more experienced, there are still some questions often asked. Many people aren’t sure what to do with sprouted potatoes, or whether a potato with a green tinge is toxic. Soft and wrinkled potatoes are also discussed widely and often.

And if you’re looking for answers to these or similar questions, you’re in the right place. Below we talk about spoilage signs of potatoes and which of them actually mean that you should throw out the tubers. We also cover storage and shelf life, in case you’re looking for some tips and specifics on these topics.

Let’s start with the topic that causes the most confusion, and that is going bad of potatoes.

Can Potatoes Go Bad? How To Tell If Potatoes Have Gone Bad?

I’m pretty sure that it won’t come as a surprise that potatoes indeed do go bad. So now the big question: how to tell if a potato has gone off and should be discarded? If a large portion of the surface is moldy or rotten, throw it out. If it’s only a small part, like less than a third, it’s up to you if you cut out the off part and use the rest, or throw it out. Same thing about the “interior” or the flesh of the tuber. That’s about it when it comes to sure signs of spoilage. Now let’s talk about specific issues mentioned earlier and how to go about them.

Is it safe to eat potatoes that have sprouted? If the vegetable starts to grow, you can still cook it ([ILL][PG]). Cut out the sprouts and the “eyes” they leave on the surface while you’re prepping the veggies and you’re good to go. The exception here is that if the sprouts are very long, like 5+ inches, it’s probably better to throw them out. It’s not about the length, but what it tells us about the storage conditions. And it informs us that the tubers were stored for quite a long time in a (probably) not-cold-enough temperature. That means they won’t be that good quality-wise. In short, potatoes don’t go bad when they sprout, but if you leave them growing for too long, it’s probably better to toss them out.

Are soft and wrinkled potatoes bad? Long story short: it depends. If the potato is not as firm as it used to be, and the skin has started to become somewhat wrinkly, it’s okay to eat it. Such tubers might be a bit difficult to peel, and they will definitely work better in mashed potatoes than fresh fries. The quality definitely won’t be top notch, but they should still be reasonably okay to eat. But once the vegetables start to shrivel, that means they’re losing water, and it’s time for them to go.

Can you eat potatoes with a green tinge? This question usually generates answers that cover solanine poisoning and all that jazz. And the truth is that the concentration of solanine in a potato is smallest in the tuber flesh ([WIKI]), so there’s really nothing to worry about. Just cut out the green skin and part of the potato and eat the rest ([ILL][SD]). In case you were wondering, the green tinge is a reaction to light exposure ([ILL]). So if you bought potatoes that were perfectly normal, and they turned green while being stored, you need to up your potato-storage game (more on that later).

Last but not least: if one potato is rotten, are they all bad? Nope, just throw out the bad ones and eat the rest. The bacteria tend to spread fairly quickly, so it makes sense to give your potatoes a check every week and throw out the off ones. This way more of the tubers will survive storage and end up cooked on your plate.

Now that you know how to deal with most of the typical potato-related issues, it’s time to go through some storage tips.

How To Store Potatoes So They Last As Long As Possible?

First off, once you get home with the potatoes, don’t wash them. If there’s too much dirt, brush them off, and put into storage.

You should store potatoes in a cool and dark place, with good air circulation ([ILL]). When it comes to storage temperature, the ideal is 45˚F to 50˚F (or 7˚C to 10˚C) ([ILL][PR]). Unfortunately barely anyone has a place that maintains such temperature. But if you happen to have a basement that maintains a similar or slightly higher temperature, keep the potatoes there. If not, let’s talk about how you can store the spuds at home.

Let’s start with the fridge. If you ever thought about refrigerating potatoes, don’t. Fridge temperature will convert starch into sugar, and it will result in off-tasting potatoes that turned brown during cooking ([ILL]).

That means you’re basically left with storing the potatoes at room temperature, or maybe slightly below in a pantry. That’s not a perfect solution, but it’s good enough. Just make sure you meet the other conditions, that is the tubers are away from light and have access to air.

With that in mind, let’s talk about the shelf life of potatoes.

How Long Do Potatoes Last?

Potatoes have one of the longest shelf lives among veggies. They obviously don’t last as long as garlic or onions, but still, they last quite some time. And as usual, the better storage conditions you provide, the longer they keep. If you’re among the lucky ones who have access to a cold basement, your potatoes can sit there for like 3 to 5 months even, depending on the variety. If all you have available is a pantry or a dark cabinet in the kitchen, the potatoes should retain good quality for up to 2 weeks ([ILL][SD]).

In my own experience, they often last even a week or so longer in quite okay quality. Sprouts will probably show up, and the spuds will start to lose their firmness, but they’re definitely good enough to cook with. That’s just my personal opinion though, so take it with a grain of salt.

Last but not least, different varieties of potatoes and seasons play a role too. Some last longer, others a bit shorter, and if it’s hot and humid outside, potatoes won’t keep as long as in the winter.

In a Nutshell

• Keep potatoes at a cool place, but do not refrigerate them
• Sprouting potatoes are not but, just cut the sprouts and enjoy them like you usually do
• Cut out any green spots on the surface
• Potatoes usually last 2 weeks or more at room temperature; if the temperature is lower, they should retain quality for longer

References

• [ILL] University of Illinois Extension: Potato
• [SD] Side Delights: Potato FAQs
• [PR] New Brunswick Potatoes: Potato FAQs
• [PG] Potato Goodness: Buying & Storing Potatoes
• [WIKI] Wikipedia: Potato

Summertime means watermelon, right? There’s nothing like a few slices of it or some watermelon-infused water on a sweltering day. But it’s easy to get a bit overeager and buy much more than we need. Instead of a quarter or a half, we purchase the whole fruit because it’s cheap. And only after a day or two we start to really think about storage and shelf life of this fruit.

There’s nothing wrong about this approach, either. I know I occasionally buy way too much food when it’s on sale, or I’m feeling like eating it the whole week. The excitement passes after a couple of days, and that’s when I think about how to make sure that products won’t spoil. So if you’ve bought more watermelon than you can handle, let’s talk about how you can get the most of it. And to start things off, let’s check if it isn’t bad already.

Can Watermelon Go Bad and How to Tell If It Is Bad

Like all fruit, even dried fruit like raisins, watermelon can go bad. If you have a whole watermelon on hand, it’s pretty much impossible to tell if it’s still good or not. Of course, if the rind is moldy on the outside, it’s probably better to toss it out. But if there are only some smaller dark spots or bruises, that doesn’t tell us much about the condition of the flesh.

Generally, if the outside is firm, bruiseless, and relatively uniform in color, the flesh should be just fine. To check if the watermelon is okay, we need to examine its insides. And that’s a bit of a catch-22 because the whole watermelon lasts much longer than a cut one.

If you have sliced or quartered watermelon on hand, it’s usually easy to tell if it’s good or not. First off, look for slime, mushy parts, dark blotches, or loss of color. Either one is a sign and overripeness. And while those darker or paler spots won’t make you sick, you probably won’t enjoy them that much. When it comes to slime, I find it gross and discard it right away, and suggest you do the same. In short, if the flesh doesn’t look fresh and tasty, it’s probably not and throwing it out is the way to go. Besides appearance, give the fruit a good sniff. If it smells sour, it’s spoiled. If everything seems fine, give the final verdict based on its taste.

Now that you know the signs of a bad watermelon, let’s talk about how and for how long you can store them.

How Long Does Whole Watermelon Last

A whole watermelon lasts at room temperature around 3 to 4 weeks once it’s cut from the vine ([WM]). So how long will it last once you buy it depends on how long it was in transit and how long it sat in the produce section. And that time can vary quite heavily. It can take anywhere between a week and two weeks before fruit gets to your supermarket, and it can sit there for a couple of days before you buy it.

Because of that, it’s generally recommended to eat the watermelon within about 7 to 10 days of buying it. Of course, if the fruit didn’t travel for that long and you got it right after it hit the produce section, it will likely last a few days longer. But it’s better to err on the side of caution and assume it will last no longer than a week.

Typically, we store a whole watermelon at room temperature ([WM]), possibly in the kitchen or pantry. But if you need to save it for a few days longer, up to about 2 weeks, you can transfer it in the fridge.

Once you cut the watermelon, or buy it pre-cut, things change a bit.

How Long Does Watermelon Last After Cutting

Cut or sliced watermelon lasts about 3 to 5 days in the fridge. It needs to be refrigerated, no matter if you’ve bought it pre-cut or quartered it yourself. To make sure it stays fresh to that 5 days mark, always keep it wrapped tightly. Quarters you buy in the supermarket are usually covered with plastic wrap, and that’s how you should store the fruit. If you won’t finish the whole thing, unwrap it, cut as much as you need, and rewrap. If the leftover piece can fit inside a freezer bag, you can use that too.

If you don’t wrap the fruit, the flesh will dry out and might pick up smells from the fridge. Neither one is desirable, so keep it wrapped and you’re golden.

If you have more cut watermelon than you can use within a few days, you’re surely looking for ways how to prolong the storage of this fruit. And while not ideal, freezing is an option.

Can I Freeze Watermelon?

Watermelon consists mostly of water and doesn’t freeze particularly well. In short, once you thaw it, it will turn out mushy, and it might lose some of its color and taste ([WM]). But that doesn’t mean freezing it makes no sense whatsoever. Frozen watermelon works well in at least two applications: in smoothies and making fruit infused water.

In a smoothie, it will be mashed and blended either way, so the texture change isn’t that big of a deal. Plus you use watermelon cubes instead of ice cubes. Here’s how to go about it. First, remove the seeds, and cut the flesh into cubes. Then transfer them on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil, and put into the freezer. Once the cubes are frozen, put them in a freezer bag, and voilà, you have frozen watermelon cubes for your smoothies.

The second option is prepping it to use in fruit-infused water. Remove the rind and cut the watermelon into pieces ready to be put into water for infusion. You can leave the seeds in if you don’t mind them. Then, just like described above, you flash freeze the pieces on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Once frozen, transfer the parts into freezer bags. Enjoy with water on a hot day or whenever you need a refreshment.

In a Nutshell

• Whole watermelon lasts about a week at room temperature, 2 weeks refrigerated
• Cut or sliced requires refrigeration and lasts up to 5 days
• You can freeze watermelon, but it works best only for smoothies and fruit-infused water

References

• [WM] Watermelon Board: Frequently Asked Questions

Kale has become the darling of the health food world, and for good reason. These greens in the cruciferous family pack a lot of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants into a small package. Of course, it’s easy to get carried away at the market, and find yourself with more than a week’s supply on hand. Can kale go bad, and how should you store all those greens so they stay fresh?

Can Kale Go Bad?

Like all fresh vegetables, kale can go bad. When properly stored, this leafy green can last for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. Of course, the time spent from the farm to the supermarket needs to be taken into account. So, kale that was bought from your local farmer’s market will likely last longer than the bag purchased from the supermarket.

How to Tell If Kale Has Gone Bad

As kale ages, it will begin to lose moisture and wilt. The leaves will change from a rich dark color, to a pale greenish yellow, and eventually turn brown. After too long, the wilted leaves will become soggy and liquid will leak out.

Smell is another indicator of spoilage. Fresh kale should have an earthy, “green” smell. As the kale ages, it will begin to take on an almost sulfurous smell, like rotten eggs. An off smell indicates that the kale has spoiled, and should not be consumed.

How to Store Kale

Kale should be stored in the refrigerator, and kept in a plastic tub or bag. Since kale needs to breathe, it’s best if the bag or tub does not seal completely, but allows for some air flow. You can wait to wash kale until you decide to cook it, but if you want to wash and store your veggies all at once to save time on meal prep throughout the week, just be sure to thoroughly dry kale before putting it back in the fridge. Excess moisture will cause kale to spoil faster.

To extend the shelf life of kale by a bit more, roll out a three to four foot piece of paper towel and spread the washed and dried kale leaves on top in a single layer. Now, just roll the paper towel up with the leaves inside, and store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Be sure to keep the kale away from the back of the fridge, where temperatures are often much lower, and the kale could freeze.

Can You Freeze Kale?

Kale can be frozen for long term storage. To freeze kale, wash it thoroughly and pat dry with a paper towel. You can either remove the stems, or leave them intact. While the stems are a bit hard and woody, once they are frozen and thawed, they will soften. Chop kale into about 1” pieces. The chopped kale can be frozen on a baking sheet in a single layer, and then transferred to a tightly sealed container. Frozen kale can keep in the freezer for up to a year.

Frozen kale can be used in stir fries, and other dishes that call for cooked kale. Once kale thaws out, it will have a different texture than fresh kale, and so previously frozen kale shouldn’t be used in salads. You can cook frozen kale immediately, without thawing.

Another method for preserving a large amount of kale is canning. Because of the low acidity, the jars will have to be processed in a pressure canner. You can use a brining solution, or even make pickled kale, which would have a high enough acidity to simply can with a water bath. Be sure to follow the directions for your canner carefully, to ensure the safety of your canned kale. Properly canned kale will have a shelf life of about a year, and should be stored in a cool, dark place.

Can garlic go bad? Garlic is a wonderful staple to keep in your pantry. It is used in a variety of cuisines and is good for you; however, while garlic has a longer shelf life than most items found in the produce department, it can go bad. How quickly garlic goes bad is based on a variety of factors.

How long does garlic last?

The first factor in how long garlic will last is how it is packaged. Garlic that is purchased still in its bulb form will last up to a month (sometimes longer) when stored in a cool, dark, and dry pantry. Some stores sell garlic that has been separated and peeled. This packaging is usually in the produce refrigerated section. This is a great time saving option, but garlic in this form does need to remain refrigerated. It is also labeled with an expiration date which is usually accurate. Garlic is also packaged in a minced form. Minced garlic in oil will last up to a year in the refrigerator, but always refer to any directions or expiration dates on the package.

Image used under Creative Commons from Kevin

How do you know when garlic is bad?

If you’re wondering how to tell if garlic is bad, refer to the expiration date on the package when in doubt; however, there are a few key signs you can look for when determining if the garlic is okay to use or needs to be tossed because it has gone bad.

If you have purchased whole bulbs or peeled cloves watch out for green sprouts coming out of the top. It is not dangerous to eat, but it will cause a bitter flavor. The sprout is the creation of a new clove, so you can split the clove and remove the sprout to still use the garlic clove.

Do not eat cloves that are mushy (unless the bulb has been roasted! YUM!) or showing signs of mold growth. This will either show up as brown spots or white fuzz on the clove. If you are peeling the cloves yourself, look for indentations or dark spots on the cloves before you take the skins off. Discard the cloves. This will save time in the kitchen and ensure that any bad garlic pieces don’t accidentally get mixed in when you chop or press the garlic.

When checking jarred minced garlic, first check the expiration date and then take a sniff. If you smell anything “funny” or rancid, toss the jar.

At the store

When shopping for garlic there are a few things to keep in mind. Think about how much you use and purchase accordingly. Also, make sure you check expiration dates on packaged garlic products. Is the expiration date just around the corner? If you use a lot of garlic it may not be an issue, but if you won’t use it in time it is a waste of money. Most stores are good about removing close to expiration date off the shelves, but it never hurts to double check. When purchasing bulbs of garlic you will want to check for soft spots and discoloration.

Summary
So, can garlic go bad? Yes, it can. Cooking with garlic is a wonderful way to enhance recipes, but if you accidentally use garlic that has gone bad it will be a waste of time and money. Remember to check the quality and expiration dates of your garlic, store properly, and when in doubt throw it out!