Don’t worry, you don’t have to throw the sweet potato away! If a milky or dark, sticky liquid oozes from a cut or slightly damaged sweet potato, it’s usually a sign of quality, not spoilage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here’s the solution to the sticky mystery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a mixture of starch and sugar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The liquid, which often appears as white juice and turns dark and resinous when exposed to air, is a mixture of starch and natural sugar (mainly sucrose).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why does this happen? When the sweet potato is very fresh and full of juice, this juice oozes out even with the slightest damage to the skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does this mean? It’s actually proof that the tuber is particularly fresh and sweet. In technical terms, this juice is sometimes considered part of the plant’s milky sap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How to tell it from rot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the sticky drops are harmless, there are clear signs that a sweet potato is actually spoiled. Here’s a direct comparison:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Characteristic: Harmless sap (sugar\/starch) True rot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consistency: Sticky, dries hard like resin. Mushy, soft, or slimy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Odor: Neutral or slightly sweet and earthy. Unpleasant, pungent, or musty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Color: Whitish, turns dark brown\/black when exposed to air. Large dark spots, mold growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Texture: The tuber is firm overall. The tuber yields to finger pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What should you do?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simply wash it off: You can simply wash the sticky spots under running water before peeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cook it normally: The liquid will evaporate during cooking or baking, and the spots will no longer be visible after cooking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check storage: If many of these drops are oozing out, it’s best to store the remaining tubers in a dark, cool (but not in the refrigerator!), and dry place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short: The dark drops are essentially the sweet potato’s “honeydew.” As long as the tuber is firm and smells good, it’s perfectly safe and probably even particularly delicious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you stored the sweet potatoes for a while, or are they fresh from the store?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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