Does refrigerating potatoes change their taste?

Well while we’re on the topic the UK’s Food Standards Agency now say it’s fine to store potatoes in the fridge -

“A recent study, which has been reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), has shown that home storage of potatoes in the fridge doesn’t materially increase acrylamide forming potential when compared to storage in a cool, dark place.

So, if you wish to help avoid food waste, you can choose to store either in the fridge or in a cool, dark place.”
 
The jury is out on this one:
Acrylamide
Doesn't matter. I like my fries well-done and brown, acrylamide be damned.

But, I don't like the texture and flavor of potatoes after they have been stored raw in the refrigerator. I have noticed a difference in the flavor of mashed potatoes, slightly sweet, and I don't like sweet starchy stuff much (which is one of the reasons I don't like sweet potatoes or yams). Seems like hand-cut fried potatoes don't come out as crispy after being kept in the refrigerator. But my whole life everyone I ever knew kept potatoes in a cool, dark place so that's what I have always done (except for the few times I put them in the fridge and later regretted it). I have a spot in my pantry where they go.

My aunt had something like this when her 3 kids were still all living at home:
https://www.amazon.com/Ikee-Design-...rage+bin&qid=1738694298&s=home-garden&sr=1-10
1738694475818.png
 
Last edited:
Doesn't matter. I like my fries well-done and brown, acrylamide be damned.

But, I don't like the texture and flavor of potatoes after they have been stored raw in the refrigerator. I have noticed a difference in the flavor of mashed potatoes, slightly sweet, and I don't like sweet starchy stuff much (which is one of the reasons I don't like sweet potatoes or yams). Seems like hand-cut fried potatoes don't come out as crispy after being kept in the refrigerator. But my whole life everyone I ever knew kept potatoes in a cool, dark place so that's what I have always done (except for the few times I put them in the fridge and later regretted it). I have a spot in my pantry where they go.

My aunt had something like this when her 3 kids were still all living at home:
https://www.amazon.com/Ikee-Design-...rage+bin&qid=1738694298&s=home-garden&sr=1-10
View attachment 124471
I agree they don’t cook the same from the fridge but if I have stored them in there and know I’m going to use them (usually baby potatoes or Charlottes for potato salad I take them out the night before so they are well up to room temp and then I can’t tell the difference.

I reckon the density of cold potatoes affects how they cook because there is a difference.
Some I store in the fridge and some I store out 🤷‍♀️
 
I agree they don’t cook the same from the fridge but if I have stored them in there and know I’m going to use them (usually baby potatoes or Charlottes for potato salad I take them out the night before so they are well up to room temp and then I can’t tell the difference.

I reckon the density of cold potatoes affects how they cook because there is a difference.
Some I store in the fridge and some I store out 🤷‍♀️
I was reading while I was on hold and the site I was looking at stated that refrigerating potatoes develops the sugars, so there ya go.
 
I was reading while I was on hold and the site I was looking at stated that refrigerating potatoes develops the sugars, so there ya go.
Yes that’s why they’re weren’t supposed to be stored in the fridge but the latest results reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods says that’s not true so who knows knows 🤷‍♀️

What a mouthful of a name as well, and that’s not even their full name. It’s -
Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods, Consumer Products and the Environment. It’s like something straight from a Monty Python sketch 😂
 
Yes that’s why they’re weren’t supposed to be stored in the fridge but the latest results reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods says that’s not true so who knows knows 🤷‍♀️

What a mouthful of a name as well, and that’s not even their full name. It’s -
Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods, Consumer Products and the Environment. It’s like something straight from a Monty Python sketch 😂
I just don't like sweet starchy stuff! I don't need to read what they say to know it affected the flavor of my mashed potatoes. I have taste buds that told me.
 
I just don't like sweet starchy stuff! I don't need to read what they say to know it affected the flavor of my mashed potatoes. I have taste buds that told me.

Ah yes you might think that but the clipboard wielders who previously said yes now say Noooooooo. Next week they may say yes again but you never can tell 😂

In all honesty in potato salad I can’t tell the difference but with a jacket potato for example I think there’s a marked difference and I wouldn’t fridge them.
 
Ah yes you might think that but the clipboard wielders who previously said yes now say Noooooooo. Next week they may say yes again but you never can tell 😂

In all honesty in potato salad I can’t tell the difference but with a jacket potato for example I think there’s a marked difference and I wouldn’t fridge them.
Yes and I do love a loaded baked potato and it better not be sweet. And I would agree about the potato salad I think? Lots of mustard would fix the problem. I may never know though since I have plenty of room in my pantry to store potatoes.
 
…it better not be sweet.
Agreed. I don’t actually know why I’m storing the salad potatoes in the fridge 🤔
Maybe it’s because they often come bagged with the refrigerated stuff! 😂
Perhaps potato salads ok because all popular mayo’s are sweetened and you expect it to have a slightly sweet edge somewhere in there 🤷‍♀️
 
Yes that’s why they’re weren’t supposed to be stored in the fridge but the latest results reviewed by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods says that’s not true so who knows knows 🤷‍♀️

What a mouthful of a name as well, and that’s not even their full name. It’s -
Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Foods, Consumer Products and the Environment. It’s like something straight from a Monty Python sketch 😂
Written by a biker girl! 👏😉
 
Agreed. I don’t actually know why I’m storing the salad potatoes in the fridge 🤔
Maybe it’s because they often come bagged with the refrigerated stuff! 😂
Perhaps potato salads ok because all popular mayo’s are sweetened and you expect it to have a slightly sweet edge somewhere in there 🤷‍♀️
I do know that mayo likely has sugar in it, but I don't want it sweet, please do not taste sweet, dear mayonnaise.

Whew. Duke's mayonnaise (my mayo of choice) does not have sugar in it. Per their website:

"Yes, Duke's Real, Light, and Flavored Mayonnaises are the only major mayonnaises on the market that contain no sugar. This is important for individuals on a restricted sugar diet."
 
Back
Top Bottom