Q about washed potatos

[Indadhanu]

Is there any difference to non-washed potatos? I've always bought non-washed because I heard they keep better, plus I peel anyway so its not like washed is going to make things any easier for me.

I've always wondered though? I always noticed washed potatos being very green, is it because they're washed that they go greener, or is it just because you can notice it more?

LOL just a random question hehe

[Rouge]

This is just a guess... and its a pretty big guess so I could be way off.

But they can freeze unwashed potatoes (you'll know this if you get a batch that is really wet or doesn't cook in the time it normally does) and I'm GUESSING that unwashed potatoes don't get frozen because surely the dirt would turn to mud and could possible seep into the potato itself. But I'm no food economist and I really have no idea... but thats my guess Unwashed always tend to be fresher, and this was just the assumption I made. I know for a fact they do freeze unwashed, so I thought that might be the difference.

[willow5]

I always thought that the un-washed kept longer too, I guess the light doesn't get to them as much??
But I guess it depends how long they've been stored out the back of the shop before you buy them too, washed or not.

Lately I've been buying the washed potatoes because I can see if they're green when I buy them, I've had a few bags of un-washed that were green once I got the dirt off.
This is frustrating as green potatoes are toxic, specially when pg, so they get chucked out and I've got none for dinner unless I go to the shop
I've only been buying small amounts too almost when needed so they don't get wasted if they go green.

[Trillian]

If you leave the spuds in a dark cupboard that the green tinge goes away and they are OK to eat again. They only go green when exposed to light.

yes, unwashed spuds do keep longer, but washing them removes any soil nematodes (small worm like parasite) that can cause rot. This isn't a concern for people, but it can be detrimental to potato production and potatoes found to be infected are unsaleable. They are also an export conern, so I would assume that maybe washed potatoes have been imported?

[ss_storm]

Unwashed are cheaper too which is why I normally buy them, unless I'm feeling lazy and don't want to make a mess when peeling them, or if I want to use potatoes with skins on. I find they do keep longer as well, and if you put them in the crisper section of your fridge they also last a bit longer.

[Trillian]

Just an aside, you're not supposed to store potatoes in the fridge as they rot quicker. Ideally they are kept best in a cool, dry, dark cupboard.

[Indadhanu]

Yep we keep ours in the bottom shelf of the panty, they keep for as long as it takes us to use them (which isn't long as we're kind of potato addicts lol, plus when we have chips or roast potatos we make our own).

[NaeNae]

bottom shelf of the panty,

PMSL sorry Leasha I just had a chuckle, thats my childish smutty side coming out

I buy both depending, if I am cooking them that night I buy the washed so I can see if they are green or not, if I am buying some for a few days time I buy the unwashed coz they keep better.

Taste wise I think they taste the same but then I always mash with cheese, milk and butter

[Indadhanu]

hahahahaha Nae

[Kazbah]

My dad made me a potato bin and I don't have much problem with green taties!

Don't store taties with onions though as the onions will make the taties go off.

[Floweryfields]

I used to do fruit and vege prep as a job - washed don't keep anywhere near as long - they need to be stored in the dark - as should unwashed - the difference is that the dirt does prevent them from greening as fast. I think the dirt also helps maintain the moisture level in the potato too - as washed tend to shrivel and go soft faster.
Never heard of anyone freezer potatoes though - in my experience they go very soft and squishy after being defrosted.

One thing I do know, there is no smell like a bag of rotten potatoes and there is nothing like sticking your finger in a rotten one either! EWWW!!!!