Can you still eat potatoes after they have sprouted?

　　Potatoes are an indispensable ingredient in home cooking. Improper storage is prone to sprouting. Can you still eat potatoes after they have sprouted? How to choose high-quality and durable potatoes?

Can you still eat potatoes after they have sprouted?

　　It is not recommended to eat potatoes after they have sprouted. Even cutting off the sprouted parts is risky. During the germination process, potatoes will produce a large amount of solanine, which has a strong stimulating effect on the mucous membranes and can also damage the nervous system. Solanine is not only concentrated in the bud eyes and sprouting parts, but also diffuses into the inside of the potato. It cannot be completely removed by excision alone. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain may occur after accidental ingestion. In severe cases, it may cause dizziness, difficulty breathing, and adverse effects on the body.

How to choose high-quality, shelf-stable potatoes

　　1. Look at the appearance

　　Choose potatoes with a round shape and smooth skin. These potatoes are mature and have a firm internal structure. Avoid choosing potatoes with sunken, wrinkled or deformed skins. Such potatoes are perishable and cannot be stored well.

　　2. Observe the color of the skin

　　Give priority to potatoes with a natural earthy or light brown skin, with uniform color and no spots. If the epidermis appears to be blue or purple in a large area, it means that the solanine content is high and it is not suitable to buy.

　　3. Check the status of the buds

　　Check the potato sprout eyes carefully and choose ones with sunken eyes and no signs of sprouting. If you find small bud bulges or cracked skin at the sprout eyes, it means that the potatoes have begun to sprout and you should give up decisively.

　　4. Feel the weight and texture

　　For the same size, choose potatoes that are heavy to the touch. These potatoes have enough water and plump flesh. If it feels light, it means the inside may be hollow or dehydrated, and the taste and nutritional value will be reduced.

　　5. Avoid damaging potatoes

　　When selecting, pay attention to check whether the potatoes have bruises, scratches or signs of insect damage. Potatoes with damaged skin are easily invaded by bacteria, will rot quickly during storage, and may contaminate other potatoes.

　　The content of solanine in potatoes will increase sharply after they sprout, which may be harmful to the body if eaten, so be sure to discard them directly. Master the correct selection method and you can buy high-quality potatoes, which not only ensures food safety but also extends the storage time.