The Potato Species - Types and Uses
The Origin, Cultivation, Identification and Value of Potatoes
Aug 10, 2009
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a member of the same plant family as the tomato, pepper and eggplant, that of the Solanaceae plant family (also referred to as the Nightshade botanical family). The Solanceae plant family includes many species of plants often found in tropical America; indeed, the common potato is of South American origins, more specifically of the Andes Mountains region. It is believed that the ancient people of the Andes region began domesticating wild potato plants of the area over 7,000 years ago.
Identification of the Potato Plant
The potato plant is an annual plant of up to 40 inches in height; it is the tuber which is commonly called the 'potato' and the part of the plant which is used as a nutritious food source. The tuber of the potato plant grows beneath the surface of the soil; a potato plant may produce up to 20 tubers but many tubers may not survive if the soil and weather conditions are not compatible to growing needs.
The Purpose of the Tuber to a Potato Plant
Although tubers are a valuable food source to people, the tuber is of benefit to the potato plant too; tubers detach from the potato plant when the leaves and stems of the potato plant naturally die at the end of the growing season. In the same way that tubers provide nutrition for people, the tubers also provide nutrition for the potato plant throughout the cold winter; in the spring season, new shoots grow from the buds of the tuber into new potato plants.
The Cultivation of the Potato
Wild Potatoes are still common in many countries of the world but predominately in countries in the southern hemisphere including Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Mexico and Ecuador. The potato was taken back to Europe in the 16th century, during the Spanish exploration of South America; it soon became a staple food source in Europe, particularly in Ireland, from where the potato made its journey to the USA in the early 18th century. The potato was also introduced to Australia through European immigrants.
Many varieties of the potato developed in response to the different climatic regions the potato was grown in; today the potato is grown in tropical, subtropical and temperate climate regions. It may take longer to produce some potato species in colder climatic regions; the potato is also vulnerable to pests and disease, as history has proven. The mold disease of 1845 – 1848 in Ireland caused decimation of potato crops which lead to many deaths through starvation, chiefly because Ireland relied heavily on the potato as a staple food source.
Types of Potato Species
There are thousands of types of the potato species; varieties of potato species vary in color, texture and size. It is common to find the potato classified into the following identification groups for retail purposes:
- Yellow Flesh - such as Yukon Gold (Canadian)
- Russet Skin – such as Russet Burbank (American)
- Red Skin – such as Desiree (Netherlands)
- White Skin – such as Maris Bard (UK).
Uses of the Potato
Potatoes are most well known for their use in culinary dishes; potatoes can be baked, fried, mashed, boiled, roasted, made into potato soup and potato salads. However, the potato can also be used for:
- animal fodder for cattle, sheep, pigs etc
- starch in the food industry
- processed foods such as potato chips, frozen French fries and packaged food granules for mashed potatoes
- the processing of alcohol such as vodka.
The Importance of the Potato – Nutritional Value and Use
The potato is one of the world's most useful and staple food sources; it is used worldwide on a similar consumption basis as rice, maize and wheat. The potato is made up of primarily water and starch but also contains fiber and protein; the potato is of great nutritional value and consequently there are many of varieties of potato species grown throughout the world today.
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