Sweet potatoes can last for months if stored properly. However, you must follow proper storage procedures to avoid dents or rot. Here's what you need to know about storing sweet potatoes at room temperature and chilled.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Storing at Cool Room Temperature
Step 1. Use large, fresh sweet potatoes
It is better to use freshly harvested sweet potatoes with the roots still hanging off.
- The big sweet potatoes last just as much as the small ones, but the bigger ones have more "flesh" to eat.
- If harvesting your own sweet potatoes, use the fork of a shovel to dig 10 to 15 cm deep until the roots are visible. Because sweet potatoes dent easily, don't wash the roots, just remove the soil that is still attached by shaking it.
Step 2. Preserve the sweet potato for one to two weeks
Place it in a room or other location where the temperature is between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius and humidity is 90 to 95 percent.
- Sweet potatoes should be allowed to sit for at least 7 days, but can be left for up to 14 days.
- This curing process forms a second skin that protects against dents and skin cavities, and makes the sweet potato last longer in storage.
- Use a small electric fan in the storage area to keep air circulating. This helps prevent rot and mildew.
- Control the temperature and humidity periodically to ensure that the sweet potatoes are preserved under the right conditions.
- For best results, place the sweet potatoes far apart from each other.
Step 3. Discard the damaged sweet potatoes
Once the sweet potatoes have finished curing, discard any that look dented, rotting, or moldy.
Sweet potatoes that are dented mean that they weren't preserved properly, so they won't last as long as other sweet potatoes and may even cause other sweet potatoes to rot more quickly
Step 4. Wrap it with newspaper
Wrap each sweet potato in a piece of newsprint or a paper brown bag.
Newspaper or paper chocolate bags both provide sufficient air circulation to prevent the sweet potato from rotting
Step 5. Put the sweet potato in a box or basket
Store the sweet potatoes that have been individually wrapped in a cardboard box, wooden box, or basket.
- Do not use airtight storage boxes.
- Put an apple in the box. The apple will help prevent the sweet potato from sprouting.
Step 6. Store in a cool and dark place
Store the sweet potato in a cool room at a temperature of 13 to 16 degrees Celsius.
- For best results, store the sweet potatoes in a cellar or cellar. If this is not possible, you can store it in a dark, cool, well-ventilated place away from heat sources.
- Do not use the freezer/refrigerator.
- Check the temperature frequently to ensure the temperature doesn't drop or rise from 13 and 16 degrees.
- If stored this way, sweet potatoes can last up to 6 months. Remove from storage carefully to avoid bruising.
Method 2 of 2: Storing in the Fridge
Step 1. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes
Wash fresh sweet potatoes under running water and a soft brush. Use a potato peeler to remove the skin.
- Cleaning sweet potatoes with running water alone is not enough to clean them. To make it really clean, you have to scrub it gently with a soft brush. Brush carefully to avoid squeezing the sweet potato flesh.
- If you don't have a potato peeler, you can use a small, sharp knife.
- Use fresh sweet potatoes to maximize storage time.
Step 2. Boil the sweet potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add sweet potato and cook until soft.
- You should cook sweet potatoes before storing them in the refrigerator, as raw sweet potatoes will lose their flavor and nutrients if stored in the refrigerator.
- Boiling sweet potatoes is a widely used method of storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator. The boiling process takes 20 minutes for a standard size sweet potato.
Step 3. Slice or mash the sweet potato
Use a knife to slice the sweet potatoes or a potato masher to mash them.
- Do not store sweet potatoes that have been cooked whole.
- You can also use a blender to make mashed sweet potatoes.
Step 4. Drizzle with lemon or lime juice
Add 1 teaspoon of lemon or lime juice for every mashed or mashed sweet potato.
Make sure the sweet potato is evenly exposed to the lemon or lime juice. Lemon juice can keep its natural color, but if you use too much, you'll ruin the taste
Step 5. Let cool
Let the sweet potatoes cool before storing them in the refrigerator.
Storing them while the sweet potatoes are still hot can cause evaporation in the container, leading to faster spoilage
Step 6. Transfer the sweet potatoes to an airtight container
Place the mashed or sliced sweet potatoes in an airtight plastic bag or airtight plastic container that is safe to store in the refrigerator.
Do not use metal or glass containers
Step 7. Store for 10 to 12 months in the refrigerator
In general, cooked sweet potatoes can be stored for 10 to 12 months in the refrigerator.
Things You Need
- Small electric fan
- Room thermometer
- Newsprint or brown paper bag
- Cardboard box, wooden box or wooden basket
- Pot
- Potato peeler
- Soft brush
- Airtight plastic bag or refrigerator safe container
