Ella Walter
Sweet potatoes are a nutritious and versatile root vegetable that can be incorporated into a variety of dishes. However, they can spoil over time, and it's not always easy to tell whether they're still safe to eat. Cooked sweet potatoes can go bad, and if they smell off, feel slimy, or have darkened in colour, it's best to throw them out. To avoid food poisoning, it's important to know the signs of spoilage and to store sweet potatoes properly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Softness | A spoiled sweet potato often becomes mushy or develops soft spots. |
| Wrinkles or Shrinking | Wrinkles or shrinkage are indications of dehydration or rotting. |
| Discoloration | Spoiled sweet potatoes may develop dark or white spots or change color. |
| Smell | A musty, rotten, or unpleasant odor is a clear sign of rotting. |
| Mold or Weird Growth | Mold or unusual growths on the sweet potato are a definite sign of spoilage. |
| Sprouts | If the sprouts are small, you can remove them and cook the potato. If the sprouts are big, it's best to compost or plant the sweet potato. |
| Milky White Liquid | This is normal and fine to eat. The liquid is starch and sugar. |
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What You'll Learn
Sprouting
Sweet potatoes are hardy vegetables that can last for 3–5 weeks when stored at room temperature. However, they can still go bad. If your cooked sweet potatoes have started sprouting, it is one of the signs that they have spoiled and should be discarded.
If your sweet potatoes have only a few small sprouts and seem otherwise fresh, it is safe to cut off the sprouted parts and consume the potatoes immediately. However, if your sweet potatoes have grown an excessive amount of large sprouts and are soft or wrinkled, they have likely gone bad and should be thrown out.
Sprouts on sweet potatoes indicate that they are starting to age and are trying to grow into new plants. This means they are putting their energy and nutrients into new sprouts and roots. These sprouts can taste bitter and may contain toxins called glycoalkaloids, which can be toxic when ingested in large quantities.
To prevent sweet potatoes from sprouting, they should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place, such as a pantry or root cellar. Exposure to air is beneficial, so they can be stored in a bowl with holes, a wicker basket, or an open paper bag. Raw sweet potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator as it can give them a hard center and an unpleasant taste.
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Softness
However, it is important to note that some softness is normal, especially if the sweet potato is older. White spots, for example, can be a sign of aging and are called "pithiness," which results in a drier, spongier texture with white patches. While not harmful, the taste and texture may be less appealing.
If you are unsure whether the softness of a sweet potato indicates spoilage, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard it. Sweet potatoes can develop bacteria, which can cause food poisoning, so it is important to check for any signs of spoilage before consuming.
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Discolouration
Sweet potatoes naturally deepen in colour when cooked, but significant discolouration or darkening could indicate that they have gone bad. If cooked sweet potatoes have darkened considerably or turned brown or black, this could be a sign of spoilage and possible mould growth. In addition to discolouration, other signs of spoilage in cooked sweet potatoes include an ""off" smell and a slimy texture.
To prevent discolouration, sweet potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator, which can prolong their shelf life. Adding a squeeze of lemon juice can also help prevent discolouration when storing or freezing sweet potatoes.
When checking for discolouration, it is important to examine both the skin and the flesh of the sweet potato. While discolouration on the skin may be more noticeable, internal discolouration can also indicate spoilage. If the flesh of the sweet potato appears drier than usual or has darkened or developed black spots, it is likely that the sweet potato has gone bad and should be discarded.
In summary, discolouration is a key indicator of spoilage in sweet potatoes. It is important to look for any dark spots, unusual colours, or internal discolouration. While small discoloured areas can be cut away, significant or widespread discolouration indicates that the sweet potato is no longer safe to consume and should be discarded. Proper storage and refrigeration can help prevent discolouration and prolong the shelf life of sweet potatoes.
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Unusual odour
An unusual odour is a clear sign that your cooked sweet potatoes have gone bad. If they smell funky, musty, rotten, sour, or overly sweet, it's time to throw them out. This unusual odour is an indication of bacteria growth, which means the sweet potatoes are no longer safe to eat. Consuming spoiled sweet potatoes can lead to food poisoning, with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramps, fever, chills, weakness, muscle aches, and sweating.
To prevent cooked sweet potatoes from spoiling, it is important to store them properly. Leftovers should be refrigerated and consumed within 4 to 5 days. For longer storage, cooked sweet potatoes can be frozen and will last for about 4 to 6 months.
It is also important to note that sweet potatoes can go bad even before they are cooked. To check if a raw sweet potato has gone bad, look for signs such as softness, wrinkled skin, discolouration, or unusual growths. A spoiled raw sweet potato may also have a musty or sour smell, indicating that it should be discarded.
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Mould
While it is generally recommended to discard mouldy sweet potatoes, some people choose to cut away the mouldy parts and consume the rest of the potato. This practice is not advisable, as mould can spread throughout the entire potato, even if it is not visible. Consuming mouldy food can pose serious health risks, including allergic reactions, nausea, and difficulty breathing. In some cases, mouldy sweet potatoes have been linked to liver damage and lung problems in animal studies. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise your health and safety by avoiding the consumption of mouldy sweet potatoes.
If you notice a strong smell coming from a cooked sweet potato, even if you don't see any mould, it is best to discard it. An off, sour, or musty odour indicates spoilage, and consuming the potato could lead to foodborne illnesses. It is always better to be cautious when it comes to your health.
To prevent mould from growing on cooked sweet potatoes, proper storage is essential. Cooked sweet potatoes should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3 to 5 days. Leaving them at room temperature for an extended period increases the risk of mould growth and spoilage.
Additionally, when storing raw sweet potatoes, ensure they are kept in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or a dark cupboard. Whole raw sweet potatoes should not be refrigerated, as this can affect their taste and texture. However, if they are cut, they should be submerged in water and refrigerated, but even then, they will only last about a day.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several signs that a cooked sweet potato has gone bad. If it smells funky, feels slimy, or has darkened significantly in color, it should be discarded.
Consuming spoiled sweet potatoes can lead to food poisoning. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, cramps, fever, chills, weakness, muscle aches, and sweating.
Cooked sweet potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. They can also be frozen for later use and will last up to six months in the freezer.
