Viral Baking Soda Trick Fails to Prevent Potato Sprouting, Experts Say
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
A viral baking soda method claims to prevent potato sprouting by storing them in cardboard boxes with soda, but experts say only cool, dark, and ventilated storage truly preserves potatoes. Baking soda may reduce moisture and odors but does not stop sprouting.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Viral videos claim baking soda in cardboard boxes prevents potato sprouting for months or a year.
- Experts find no scientific proof that baking soda stops potato sprouting.
- Baking soda may help absorb moisture and odors but doesn’t prevent sprouting.
- Proper storage requires cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated conditions.
- Avoid airtight containers and washing potatoes before storage to reduce rot risk.
- The baking soda trick is popular but not professionally recommended for potato preservation.
A viral internet trend claims that storing potatoes in a cardboard box sprinkled with baking soda can keep them fresh and sprout-free for months or even a year. The method, popularized by videos including one from an Italian grandmother, suggests that baking soda absorbs moisture and odors, thereby preventing sprouting. However, investigations reveal that while baking soda may help reduce humidity and odors slightly, there is no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in stopping potato sprouting.
Experts and plant councils confirm that the key to preserving potatoes lies in maintaining a cool, dark, and well-ventilated environment. Storing potatoes in a breathable container such as a cardboard box, paper bag, or mesh bag, without washing them beforehand, helps prevent moisture buildup that can lead to rot and sprouting. Using airtight plastic containers is discouraged due to increased humidity.
The viral baking soda trick, despite its popularity and optimistic claims, lacks professional endorsement and does not replace the proven storage conditions necessary to keep potatoes fresh. The article emphasizes that proper temperature, darkness, and ventilation are the most reliable factors in extending potato shelf life, not the addition of baking soda.
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