Is the potato sprouting? It doesn't matter if you eat it!

Almost every household encounters it: potatoes stored deep in the cellar start to sprout. At this point, many are unsure whether it is still safe to eat them or if they should be thrown in the trash. Sprouting is not just an aesthetic issue, but it can also pose a food safety risk. We will show you when sprouted potatoes are still edible and when you should definitely say no to them. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), just like tomatoes or eggplants. These plants produce an alkaloid called solanine as a natural defense, which is toxic in larger quantities. Solanine accumulates mainly in the sprouts, the skin, the green parts, and around the eyes of the potato. As sprouting progresses, not only does the solanine content increase, but the taste also changes: the tuber becomes bitter, and the flesh loses its firmness. Consuming large amounts of solanine can cause throat constriction, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and particularly sensitive reactions in ...