When exposed to light, potatoes manufacture increasing amounts of chlorophyll as well as two bitter-tasting alkaloid compounds, solanine and chaconine. In high concentrations, these can not only make potatoes taste bitter but also can cause headaches and stomachaches.
Is sweet potato supposed to be bitter?
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.
How do you know when a sweet potato goes bad?
Black Spots and Brown Spots: The appearance of sweet potatoes is the most tell-tale sign to recognize a rotten sweet potato. A typical indication is black and brown spots. If these spots appear in a sweet potato, it means that this vegetable is rotting and should be thrown away.
Why do my potatoes taste like poison?
Exposure to light means they make chlorophyll, which turns them green. When this happens, an alkaloid called solanine — a bitter toxin — develops. Solanine, when eaten in large quantities, can be toxic. You need to cut or scrap any green parts of the potato flesh or skin and discard those pieces.
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