Tubers with a high concentration of solanine will taste bitter, and can be harmful if eaten in large quantities. To be safe, it is best to not eat the green part of tubers.” You do not need to discard green potatoes. Just peel the skins, shoots and any green color; that is where the solanines concentrate.
The Experts Weigh In: Are Green Potatoes Safe To Eat?
The green in potatoes is chlorophyll, a naturally occurring compound that signifies the potato has been exposed to light.
“The chlorophyll that gives potatoes the green color is not harmful. However, the green portions may also signify other compounds that, if consumed in large quantities, may be harmful to humans,” says registered dietitian Amy Bragagnini, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
These compounds are called glycoalkaloids and include a natural toxin called solanine. The largest concentration of solanine is found in potato skins and around the eyes of the potato where it starts to sprout.
“Consuming large quantities of solanine may lead to gastrointestinal complications including diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and sweating,” says Bragagnini. “Given the bitter taste of a green potato, I suspect it would be difficult to consume enough solanine to make one sick.”
To be on the safe side, peel the potato and trim away the green portions. After that, be sure to cook the potato to help lower solanine levels even more.
“As the toxic glycoalkaloids concentrate in the green portion, if the green area is small, you can peel the skin and cut off the green bits,” suggests Rui Huang, Ph.D., student representative of the Institute of Food Technologists’ Fruit and Vegetable Products division. “However, if the green color takes up a large area, it is better to discard or compost it.”
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The Best Way To Store Potatoes So They Don’t Turn Green
To keep your potatoes from turning green and sprouting, it’s best to store them in a cool, dark, and dry place to avoid chlorophyll formation.
“After I purchase the potatoes, I place them in a dark paper bag and keep them in my pantry,” says Bragagnini. “Before placing them in the pantry, I cut holes in the bag to encourage air circulation.”
She also recommends only buying the number of potatoes you plan to eat within a few days. “The longer the potato sits out and is exposed to light, the higher the chance you will have a green potato,” she says. “And if you are anything like me, I hate throwing food away.”
Can you eat Green Potatoes?
FAQ
Are new potatoes OK if they are green?
Can you eat potatoes with green growth?
How do you fix green potatoes?
Does boiling potatoes remove solanine?
Can you eat potatoes with a green tinge?
You can likely eat potatoes with a green tinge if you remove the green parts and the skin. But if the potato tastes bitter or makes your mouth burn, it may contain high toxin levels. In that case, it may be best to discard it. What does it mean when potatoes turn green? Potatoes turn green when they are exposed to sunlight or damaged.
Is it safe to eat potatoes for gout?
Potatoes are safe foods for people with gout. However, attention and care must be taken when preparing the potatoes, as frying must be avoided.
Can you eat the Green part of a potato?
Yes, but with a few caveats. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends not eating the green part of potatoes, but you don’t have to worry about tossing the entire thing. Instead, Kniel recommends just cutting off the green part and proceeding with your recipe. (The potato will taste better that way, anyway.)
Can you eat potatoes that are green under the skin?
The US National Institutes of Health advises never to eat potatoes that are green under the skin. This is ambiguous and has been interpreted to mean either: throw out all potatoes with any green bits, or cut off the green skin and also any green flesh under the skin and eat the rest of the potato.