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Potatoes taste great boiled, roasted, baked, grilled, mashed or mashed. The favorite tubers contain valuable vitamins and minerals and are considered healthy. Are green potatoes also edible or are they poisonous?
In a nutshell
- raw potatoes taste unpleasant
- the consumption of small amounts is harmless
- raw potatoes contain toxic alkaloids
- Excessive consumption can cause symptoms of poisoning
- green potatoes cannot ripen
potatoes
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). While the tubers of the potato plant are commonly referred to as potatoes, in some regions the terms earth apple or earth pear are also common.
Even if you learn as a child that raw potatoes are poisonous, everyone has probably tasted a piece of a raw tuber at some point. They taste unpleasantly bitter, so nobody would voluntarily eat a lot of them. The high starch content makes the potatoes mealy. This is not for everyone.
Source: Rasbak, Aardappel groene tubers (Solanum tuberosum), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
The reason for the warning about green potatoes lies in the ingredients. Like other nightshade plants, raw potatoes contain toxic alkaloids. They are formed by the plant to protect it from predators. In the case of potatoes, the alkaloid solanine in particular is crucial for symptoms of poisoning, which can occur about four to six hours after eating large quantities of raw potatoes:
- nausea
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- stomach cramps
- breathing problems
- a headache
- cramps
- Scratchy throat
Notice: Heating the potatoes reduces the solanine content. Boiling, roasting, baking or grilling turn inedible raw potatoes into tasty, healthy tubers.
green potatoes
Care should be taken with green areas, as they contain a particularly large amount of the toxic solanine. On average, 100 grams of green potatoes contain 35 milligrams of solanine. Green potatoes cannot ripen like apples or pears.
Generously cut away small green patches. Potatoes that are completely green in color are unhealthy and should not be eaten. Green potatoes have such a high solanine content that heating is not enough!
Attention: Some of the water-soluble solanine gets into the cooking water during cooking. Do not reuse the water from boiled potatoes.
Potato juice: Very healthy in small amounts
While eating green potatoes is discouraged, the juice from raw potatoes has health benefits. How can that be?
More than 100 years ago, the Swiss doctor Max Bircher-Benner discovered the healing properties of freshly squeezed potato juice, which is recommended for relieving stomach problems. The juice from freshly squeezed potatoes can help with heartburn, a feeling of fullness and stomach pain. You should not drink more than 100 milliliters a day.
Notice: Potato juice is prepared from peeled raw potatoes. Use fresh tubers that are free of sprouts and green spots. Liberally remove the peel. Only prepare the juice freshly in small portions. Alternatively, you can purchase potato juice from a health food store.
If your potatoes have small green spots, you should cut them out generously.
Factors affecting raw potato toxicity:
- variety
The solanine content of individual varieties differs. In recent years, new breeds with lower solanine levels have come onto the market. - growing conditions
The solanine content of raw potatoes can increase as a result of the weather, for example long periods of frost. - light
Light affects the formation of green spots and an increase in solanine levels. - injuries
Mechanical injuries when digging up or transporting the tubers can increase the solanine content. - storage
For potatoes, storage in a dry, dark place at a temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius is recommended. Warmer or colder temperatures can contribute to increases in solanine levels.
frequently asked Questions
Is it safe to eat raw sweet potatoes?The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is only distantly related to the potato. It got its name because of the similar appearance and usage. Sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family. They contain no toxic solanine and can also be eaten raw.
Are sprouting potatoes still safe to eat?Germinating potatoes have an increased level of solanine. The alkaloid is only partially broken down by cooking or frying, which is why. For this reason, we advise against consuming heavily sprouted tubers. If only a few small germs are visible, consumption is safe. Thoroughly trim off the sprouts and prepare the tubers as desired. Store potatoes in a cool, dark and dry place to prevent sprouting.
Where on the potato is the solanine content highest?In addition to the green spots and the sprouts, the potato skin also contains a lot of solanine. Eating the potato skins is unhealthy. The peel can cause stomach problems in small children and sensitive people.