Potatoes will be fresh 'for months' when paired with one other common food

Spuds, those humble kitchen staples, can rapidly transform into something from a horror flick, developing ghoulish shoots and becoming a genuine healthmenace when left unattended. The ongoing debate about potatoes' nutritional worth and the best ways to keep them fresh has sparked heated exchanges amongst culinary enthusiasts and wellness gurus for ages.

For decades, stashing these tubers in the refrigeratorwas considered taboo because experts worried their starch content might change, potentially undermining their health advantages. Yet fresh studies suggest that keeping potatoes chilled doesn't actually create any health dangers. Where you store them isn't the only crucial factor to consider - what you keep alongside them makes all the difference too.

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According to the Express, posting on the Yummy Stuff Facebook group, Ann Russell reached out to fellow members seeking guidance on potato storage, as hers keep "sprouting after a few days."

One brilliant suggestion that multiple members championed for prolonging potato freshness was pairing them with apples. Jason Richards explained: "Potatoes should be taken out of the plastic bag they came in and stored in a dry, dark place. Put an apple in with the potatoes as it produces ethylene gas, which flows down the potatoes from sprouting.

"You just have to keep your eye on it, or the apple may start to rot and cause your potatoes to start rotting. Put an apple in the potato bin. Why it works, I can't tell you, but it does," he explained. Hilda Avedissian agreed, saying, "Put an apple in with them. It delays the sprouting process."

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Mary Preeman shared her top tip: "I put mine in a paper bag on the counter. They were still good after five months. I stopped keeping track after that."

Kathi Rodgers chimed in with a word of caution, advising, "Keep them separated from your onions. Onions release a gas that will cause potatoes to sprout and go bad way faster."

So what's the secret behind apples keeping potatoes from sprouting too quickly? It turns out apples emit a natural gas called ethylene, which can slow down or even stop the sprouting process. But while ethylene can keep your spuds fresher for longer, it's not all good news – this same gas can actually hasten spoilage in other fruits and veggies, causing them to deteriorate rapidly.

By following this simple trick, potatoes will last way longer than just a few days. It doesn't require any extra effort - just place it next to the apples! It's just as easy and effective as it sounds.