Potatoes are a popular vegetable in many countries. In particular, in Russia it is used in the manufacture of a wide variety of dishes. However, many people do not know the specific properties of this product. For example, not everyone can explain why, when stored improperly, potatoes become sweet.
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Consumers who store potatoes in the refrigerator or in the cellar must have paid attention to the fact that the product acquires a sweetish taste. Not everyone is happy with this. But in order to avoid this situation, you need to understand the chemical processes that occur in potatoes and the factors that cause them. One of the main components of potatoes is starch. He, in fact, gives the vegetable such satiety, for which the product is appreciated in agriculture. Starch, as a chemical substance, belongs to the category of polysaccharides. When ingested, due to the action of acids, it turns into glucose - a monosaccharide that becomes a source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, in turn, are used by the body to maintain vital functions. A similar process occurs in potato tubers. When stored at temperatures below zero degrees Celsius, the process of decomposition of polysaccharides into simpler elements, including glucose, starts. This substance gives a sweetish aftertaste to potatoes. By itself, this process is not dangerous, since it is similar to what happens inside the gastrointestinal tract after eating potatoes. However, if you don't like the sweet taste of potatoes, try storing the potatoes differently. The storage area should be dry and cool, but the temperature should not drop below zero. Another method is quick freezing, which is used in the preparation of semi-finished products from potatoes. To do this, prepare the product - peel the tubers, cut and freeze. They need to be stored in the freezer until immediately consumed. However, if you have no other option, you can store potatoes in the cellar. The main thing is that he does not lie there for long. In a few weeks, the tubers should not become sweet, but if you keep it until spring, then this possibility exists.