Lemon juice: The secret ingredient to perfect potatoes

Cooking potatoes is an art that many of us practice daily, but even the simplest tasks in the kitchen can sometimes pose challenges. Potatoes can fall apart, darken, or absorb too much water, affecting their appearance and texture. Fortunately, there is one simple kitchen trick that will help avoid these problems—just add two or three tablespoons of lemon juice to the pot. This will make cooking potatoes easier, and the result will be much more aesthetically pleasing and appetizing.

Potatoes, although they seem like a simple vegetable, can surprise during cooking. After cooking, they often darken or fall apart. Why does this happen? It's due to natural processes occurring in potatoes. Enzymes present in these tubers react with oxygen, causing the colour to change. Meanwhile, overcooking or using too much water can make the potatoes soft and cause them to fall apart.

Is there a way to prevent potatoes from darkening and falling apart? Of course! Just add a few drops of lemon juice to the water in which you’re cooking the potatoes. The acid in the lemon inhibits the action of the enzymes responsible for darkening, which helps the potatoes maintain their natural, creamy colour. Additionally, lemon juice enhances the flavour of potatoes, adding a gentle tanginess.

How much lemon juice should you add?

  
• For about 0.9 kilograms (2 pounds) of potatoes, 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice is enough.
• Remember to add the lemon juice at the beginning of cooking. This way, the acid will have enough time to take effect.

Besides lemon juice, there are other ways to enhance the flavour of potatoes. You can add to the water:

• Bay leaf: will give the potatoes a mildly aromatic flavour.
• Allspice: will accentuate the flavour of the potatoes and add some spiciness.
• A sprig of rosemary will give the potatoes a fresh, herbal aroma.