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 potatoes become sweet when stored improperly.
Consumers who store potatoes in the refrigerator or in the cellar probably noticed that the product acquires a sweetish taste. Not everyone is happy with this. But in order to avoid such a situation, you need to understand the chemical processes occurring in the potato 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 valued in agriculture. Starch, as a chemical, belongs to the category of polysaccharides. When it enters the body, due to the effects of acids, it turns into glucose - a monosaccharide, which becomes a source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, in turn, are used by the body to support life, 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 taste to potatoes. The process itself is harmless, as it is similar to what happens inside the gastrointestinal tract after eating potatoes, but if you don't like the sweet taste of potatoes, try storing them differently. The storage area should be dry and cool, but the temperature should not drop below freezing. Another method is quick freezing, which is used when preparing semi-finished potatoes. To do this, prepare the product - peel the tubers, cut and freeze. They should be kept in the freezer until they are eaten directly, but if you have no other option, you can store them in the cellar as well. The main thing is that he does not lie there for long. For a few weeks, the tubers should not become sweet, but if you keep it until spring, then such a possibility exists.
