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To Peel Potatoes or Not? Easily Explained

The crucial question: to peel potatoes or not?

So much in advance: You don’t necessarily have to peel potatoes. Thorough washing is usually sufficient.

  • There are so-called glycoalkaloids in the skin of the potato. These are the toxins solanine and chaconine.
  • In the potato varieties that are commercially available in this country, the concentrations of these toxins are so low that they are harmless.
  • The riper the potato, the lower the toxin content. Proper storage of potatoes is also important. The tubers must not be stored too warm or too cold. In any case, it is best to store the earth’s fruit in the dark.
  • The shells also contain healthy nutrients and fiber.
  • Incidentally, you can see high glycoalkaloid concentrations. At these points, the potato takes on a green color.
  • If this is the case, you should definitely peel the potato and generously cut out the green parts.

Why you shouldn’t peel potatoes before cooking

As already mentioned, the peel contains important and healthy fiber and nutrients.

  • The bowl also acts as a protective cover when cooking.
  • It prevents valuable vitamins and other healthy nutrients from being cooked out of the ground fruit during cooking.
  • If you don’t want to eat the peel, it’s better to leave it on while cooking. Once the potatoes are cooked, you can peel them before serving.
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Written by John Myers

Professional Chef with 25 years of industry experience at the highest levels. Restaurant owner. Beverage Director with experience creating world-class nationally recognized cocktail programs. Food writer with a distinctive Chef-driven voice and point of view.

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