Exciting News and Concerning Updates: Let's Discuss! 🌿🥔
The world never ceases to surprise us with fascinating and sometimes concerning news. This time, we'll explore the discovery of a rare tropical bug at the Vladivostok Botanical Garden and share essential tips for storing potatoes to last through winter. I found both of these stories particularly intriguing!
Hello everyone! Today, I've brought two incredibly interesting pieces of news. One is a tale of natural wonder, and the other is a practical matter directly related to our dining tables.
Both of these stories were quite surprising to me. How about you?
🌿 A Visitor from the Tropics Has Arrived!
Surprisingly, a rare tropical insect, previously unobserved in this region, has taken up residence at the Vladivostok Botanical Garden. This insect is known as the 'blue hoverfly,' and it has reportedly been spotted inside the garden for the past two months. 😲
The discovery was made on July 19th, and experts are deeply researching how these insects arrived here and what impact they might have in the future.
The most striking characteristic of this insect is its vivid blue color, described as being as beautiful as a jewel. Experts believe that while this insect is native to tropical Asia, its habitat may have expanded due to climate change or other factors.
This discovery raises questions about what changes it might bring to the botanical garden's ecosystem and whether the northward migration of such tropical insects will become more frequent.
What are your thoughts on these natural changes? They feel mystical, yet they also serve as a stark reminder of our planet's environmental shifts, leaving me with mixed emotions.
🥔 Keeping Potatoes Fresh Until Spring!
As the weather begins to cool, a crucial concern for many of us is how to keep our precious potatoes fresh and delicious all the way until spring. 🧐
A common mistake people make when storing potatoes is keeping them in 'places that are too warm or humid.' This can easily cause them to sprout or rot. 😥
Experts recommend an ideal potato storage temperature of 4-7℃ and a humidity level of 80-90%.
So, what kind of place is suitable? A 'cool, dark, and well-ventilated area' is best. For example, a cellar with a concrete floor or the crisper drawer in your refrigerator is considered appropriate.
Here are some particularly important tips!
- Absolutely NO light! Potatoes produce a toxic substance called 'solanine' when exposed to light. Have you ever seen the skin turn green? That's precisely why. Solanine can cause abdominal pain and vomiting, so if you notice green spots, be sure to peel them off and discard them before eating.
- Do NOT store with apples! The ethylene gas released by apples can accelerate the sprouting of potatoes. 🍎➡️🥔 (X)
- Avoid washing before storage! Leaving the soil on the potatoes helps prevent moisture loss and keeps them fresh longer.
Beyond these points, there are other food items that can be stored alongside potatoes. While it's best to avoid storing them with fruits that release a lot of ethylene gas, like apples, it's said to be acceptable to store them with onions, which have thicker skins. However, personally, I think it's better to store onions separately as well. 🤔
If you've been wondering how to store your harvested potatoes this year, be sure to try out the tips I've shared today! If you have your own secret potato-storing methods, feel free to share them in the comments!
Today, we've explored both the mysteries of nature and practical life wisdom. Both topics offer us an opportunity to reflect on our lives and the environment.
I'll continue to strive to share interesting stories and useful information from our surroundings. 😊
Wishing everyone a warm and fulfilling day!