Types of Potatoes

There are over 5,000 types of potatoes known to exist today,it is also the fourth largest food crop in the world after rice, wheat and maize.

This comes as no surprise as potato has conquered the world's farmlands from its birthplace in Peru to the rest of world from Asia, Europe, North and South America and even Africa and has become one of the staple foods in many tables. So great is the importance of the types of potato that it has even its own gene banks in many countries.

Kinds of Culinary Potatoes

Potatoes are often grouped according to their color although certain varieties are known by their specific names. Thus, you have yellow, white, red, purple and blue potatoes as well as fingerlings and russets, all of which have distinct characteristics.

Yellow potatoes include varieties like Yukon Gold, Yellow Finn and Delta Gold, to name a few. As the name suggests, the flesh is yellow then covered by a thin yellowish skin. These potatoes contain high levels of antioxidants and medium starch, thus, their high nutritional value and uses in many dishes.

White potatoes are usually round in shape with white flesh covered in light brown skin. Examples of these types of potatoes include Kennebec, Atlantic and Superior, all of which can be bought throughout the year and are suitable for many types of dishes due to their good holding quality.

Red potatoes usually have white flesh although yellow and red colors are also available. With their low starch content, potatoes like Red Pontiac, Red LaSoda and Red Norland are ideal for roasting, grilling and steaming and even as base for salads.

Purple or blue potatoes include varieties like All Blue, Purple Viking and Purple Peruvian. As the name suggests, both the skin and the flesh are either in blue or purple, thanks to the antioxidant known as anthocyanin that can also be found in grapes.

These types of potatoes are just a small fraction of the numerous kinds of potatoes. The crop has come a long way from its previous reputation as being poisonous to being a most valuable food crop.

Planting Potatoes

No matter the type of potato planted, the cultivation methods are very similar. For backyard planting, you can buy the seed potatoes from a local nursery or an online catalog. Potatoes grow well in locations with full sunlight and in well-drained soil with high potassium and phosphorus content but low nitrogen levels. If possible, raised beds are preferred especially in heavy soils.

Now, start digging the soil to about 12 inches deep while taking care to remove debris like rocks. Add in plenty of organic compost but remember to skip on the manure to avoid diseases like scab. Then plant the 2-inch seed potatoes whole with 2-3 eyes each seed. If you have larger seeds, cut them in half just as long as the eye requirement is satisfied. Harvest time is usually 7-8 weeks after planting.

You can plant as many types of potatoes as desired in your garden. Just make sure that you have the space for them both in your garden and your storage area as potatoes tend to rot easily after harvest when not handled and stored properly.

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