Food Scientists conducted an experiment to find out if certain varieties of potato are more susceptible to sprouting than others. They found that there’s a 50:50 chance that a bag of potatoes will sprout a week after purchase.
Food Scientists at the University of Lincoln have proved that sprouted potatoes are just as edible and safe to eat as normal spuds.
According to the researchers, all you need to do is cut off the sprouted parts and they will taste the same as normal potatoes.
Food Scientists conducted an experiment to find out if certain varieties of potato are more susceptible to sprouting than others. They found that there’s a 50:50 chance that a bag of potatoes will sprout a week after purchase.
After testing 802 2.5 kg bags of baking potatoes, researchers also discovered that Osprey potatoes are the most likely to sprout and Marfona are the least likely variety.
The potatoes were kept in dark chilled storage for seven days, before scientists at Lincoln’s National Centre for Food Manufacturing assessed the tubers to find out which had sprouted the quickest.
Shoppers tend to throw potatoes away when they look wrinkled, rotten or sprouted, according to a survey by WRAP (the Government’s Waste & Resources Action Programme).
However, experts say that these conditions don’t affect the taste of the potato if the ’bad’ part of the tuber is removed.
Even if potatoes go soft and spongy over time, they are still edible but may have a slightly different flavour.
Sprouted potaotes will go soft and spongy quicker as they lose moisture faster, which is why many customers believe sprouted potatoes are not safe to eat.
Dr Chris Bishop of the University of Lincoln, who led the study, said “Along with bread, potatoes are the UK’s biggest food waste items, and sprouting is one of the most common reasons.”
“We generate a lot of that waste through the peeling process, perhaps by peeling off too much, or chopping out chunks of potato as we go. However, a substantial 320,000 tonnes are thrown out for other reasons before any preparation has taken place, such as the visual quality or the date on the bag,” he added.
