You can spot a bad sweet potato by the color and appearance of the skin. It should have a strong smell, and its insides should be soft and mushy. It is most likely bad if you can taste a piece of the rotten sweet potato. If the inside is still mushy, you should throw it out. Otherwise, you can carefully examine the skin and check for mold or abnormalities.
When buying a fresh sweet potato, always buy a variety that has the same color. When the color is off, the sweet potato is spoiled. Its outer skin will be soft and mushy, and the skin will separate. This indicates the rotting process is progressing faster than usual. Look for rotten sweet potatoes by noticing the discoloration or the skin. The skin will be yellowish, brown, or red, and its flesh will be creamy-white with a slightly bitter flavor.
Another sign that a sweet potato is bad is its color. A bad sweet potato will be mushy and have an unpleasant odor. The skin of rotten sweet potatoes will lose its original color, turning purple, red, or even black. The inside of a rotten sweet potato is soft and will fall off. A dark brown or black skin clearly shows that the sweet potato has gone bad.
Sweet Potato Nutrition Fact
Signs That Indicates Your Sweet Potatoes Have Gone Bad
Always look for slight or substantial discolorations on sweet potatoes to see if they’ve gone bad.
If the sweet potatoes become soft or mushy, they are past their prime. The same is true for sweet potatoes that have turned a dark brown to black.
Examine the skin for unusual growths or the presence of mold. Toss the sweet potatoes in the trash if they have developed an odor.
Check for mold in sweet potatoes that have been cooked or mashed. Sweet potatoes are no longer safe to consume if they have developed an off-color or flavor.
The first sign of a bad sweet potato is when the skin shrivels up. The inside is mushy and oozes a thick syrupy substance. It will smell bad and be mushy, and it will also smell bad if it is rotten. A rotten sweet potato should be discarded as soon as possible. Then you can cook it as usual.
A rotten sweet potato looks a lot like a bad apple, and it will have a mushy outside layer and a peachy inner layer. The pealing part will also be separate, and onions will separate like a peeled onion. It will no longer be edible when the sweet potato is past this point. So, when buying a sweet potato, make sure to inspect it thoroughly before cooking it.
The skin color of a sweet potato can tell if it’s spoiled. If it’s yellow or purple, it’s probably spoiled. The skin of a rotten sweet potato will smell bad. However, white or purple skin is no reason to throw out a rotten sweet potato. If the skin is white, the fruit is still a good choice.
If the skin is black, it’s likely spoiled. A rotten sweet potato will be purple or black, and the flesh will be soft and mushy. Moreover, it will smell bad. This is a sure sign that a rotten sweet potato isn’t edible. It’s best to discard it immediately. The skin will be the easiest way to spot a rotten sweet potato.
The texture of a rotten sweet potato is one of the leading indicators of spoiled. When the skin is brown or black, the food has lost its moisture. It will also have a bitter or acrid odor. If the skin has turned brown or black, the sweet potato is bad and will taste bitter. So, it’s important not to buy a rotten sweet potato.
Another sign of a bad sweet potato is black rot. Black rot is caused by fungi and will cause the sweet potato to taste bitter and smell unpleasant. A good, fresh, clean sweet potato will have a dark, dry, airy interior. Avoid washing raw and dirty-sweet potatoes. Unless you’re sure that the potatoes have black rot, it’s best to wash them before cooking.
Sweet Potatoes: Health And Nutrition
Sweet potatoes are versatile and can be incorporated into practically any diet. It’s a waste not to eat them because they’re so high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Not to mention how delicious they are!
Sweet potatoes contain oxalates, a mineral binding agent that binds calcium and other minerals. Sweet potatoes should be used in moderation by people who have kidney stones or are at high risk of developing them.
If this worries you, talk to your doctor or a nutritionist.
One serving of sweet potato can provide you with all of your vitamin A requirements for the day. Your bones, skin, and hair will be healthier as a result.
Another fantastic incentive to eat sweet potatoes is the high fiber content found in the peel. After eating sweet potatoes, you’ll feel full for a long time, and your blood sugar won’t rise.
One cooked medium sweet potato provides 14 grams of fiber per day. Remember to eat the peel as well. Your stomach will appreciate it.
Sweet potatoes have minerals like manganese, which is good for bones, and potassium, good for muscle and brain function. Potassium also helps to alleviate anxiety and stress.
Sweet potatoes contain beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant found in carrots. Drizzle a little olive oil over your sweet potato portion to boost beta-carotene absorption.
Magnesium, another crucial mineral, is abundant in sweet potatoes. Magnesium aids in absorbing other vitamins and minerals while also providing its own set of benefits.
A medium sweet potato has 130 calories, 30 grams of carbohydrates, 3 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber, 154 percent of your daily vitamin A needs, 31% of your daily vitamin C needs, and 15% of your daily potassium needs in one serving.
Studies demonstrate that eating sweet potatoes (and sweet potato leaves) in moderation can assist persons with Type 2 diabetes in controlling their blood sugar levels. Purple sweet potatoes are said to be particularly good for eye health.
What Is The Best Way to Store Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes should be kept in the pantry uncooked and uncut. Place the product in a well-ventilated area. Keep the sweet potatoes away from heat and moisture sources.
Uncooked sweet potatoes can be stored in the pantry for 1 to 2 months, depending on the season.
Sweet potato cans that haven’t been opened should be kept in the pantry, and they should be able to stay there for around a year.
Cooked sweet potatoes should be stored in the refrigerator. To get the best effects, keep the product in a sealed container, and they should last about a week in the fridge.
Is It Possible To Freeze Sweet Potatoes?
Yes, both uncooked and cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen to increase their shelf life. Put the product in a freezer-safe container and freeze it.
Sweet potatoes store indefinitely in the freezer, so if you don’t plan on using up your supply anytime soon, this is a perfect option.
Our recommendation is to cut the sweet potatoes into manageable parts to make thawing a breeze.
What Is The Shelf Life of Sweet Potatoes?
Sweet potatoes keep in the cupboard for 3-5 weeks and in the fridge for 2-3 months. Keep in mind that the shelf life of sweet potatoes is highly dependent on several factors, including the best by date, preparation method, and storage. Sweet potatoes and yams are high in fiber and beta-carotene and have a creamy sweet feel. They’re virtually always served at Thanksgiving.
Sweet potatoes are a multipurpose vegetable that is frequently confused with yams. Although sweet potatoes and yams come from two different floral plants (and white potatoes come from a root plant), they are frequently confused. The ordinary yam is softer (it contains more water) and has orange-colored flesh, but the sweet potato is whiter (or more yellowish) on the inside and out. Sweet potatoes are shown here.
Conclusion
If you can’t tell if sweet potato is bad by looking at its skin, then it’s probably rotten. It’s easy to spot a bad sweet potato by noticing the wrinkles in the skin. Besides, it can also have an odor. When the sweet potatoes are rotten, they produce toxins called aflatoxins. A rotting sweet potato is a definite no-no!
