Content
There are several dozen varieties of purple potatoes. They differ in taste, aroma, yield and other indicators. The color can also vary - in some tubers it is pure lilac, in others it is reddish, pinkish and even light cream.
History of appearance
Several dozen varieties of purple potatoes with purple flesh have been bred. Moreover, they have been known for more than two centuries. The first mention dates back to 1812 - then the Vitelot variety was described. Also, similar crops are mentioned in the agricultural directory of France (the entry dates back to 1817).
Many scientists agree that such plants come from the countries of South America - Bolivia and Peru. Here, purple potatoes are still common today.
For a long time, scientists did not pay attention to this crop, preferring to breed traditional potatoes with white flesh.However, lilac varieties spread to Europe and some Asian countries already in the 19th century.
Gradually, interest in such potatoes increased, demand increased, and prices rose. Breeders set about developing varieties of dark purple potatoes. The basis was taken from wild varieties with the same or different colors. The result was both varieties and hybrids.
In Russia, purple varieties of potatoes began to actively spread in 2007, after the First International Congress was held. Tubers of unusual lilac color were presented by breeders from South Korea (Kangwon National University). This served as an impetus for the development of domestic dietary varieties of potatoes with purple skin.
Features of purple potatoes
Lilac and purple potato varieties have certain characteristics. They are associated not only with appearance, but also with taste, as well as with chemical composition. The main characteristics are described below.
Purple varieties are characterized by a refined aroma
Taste qualities of purple potatoes
The taste of lilac tubers is about the same as white or yellow ones. But the aroma has clearly noticeable nutty tones, which makes the dish more piquant. If you add coconut milk instead of regular milk, you get a real exotic side dish. These potatoes are suitable as a side dish for any meat and fish dishes.
Potato varieties with purple flesh inside are used to prepare all kinds of dishes:
- mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes;
- fried, fried;
- stewed;
- salad ingredient;
- chips.
Advantages and disadvantages
Potatoes with lilac skin and pulp have quite a few advantages. Among the main advantages are the following:
- interesting appearance;
- unusual taste;
- suitable for preparing any dishes;
- contains many vitamins and minerals;
- has high immunity to diseases.
But there are also disadvantages:
- not all varieties of purple-skinned potatoes will take root in Russia, so the description needs to clarify in which regions they can be grown;
- the cost of planting material is much higher than traditional potato varieties;
- getting tubers for planting is not always easy;
- productivity is relatively low.
Purple potato varieties with photos and descriptions
Quite a few varieties of purple potatoes have been produced. Some of them can be grown in most Russian regions. The main crops with good yields are described below.
Witelot
This variety of purple potato is sometimes also called "Vitalot" or "Negress". Other names are “Chinese truffle” or “Blue French truffle”. The potatoes are small, on average 70 g. The peel is a typical grayish-brown color, the flesh is a rich lilac color.
The starch content is high, so the root vegetables are well cooked. They are great for making purees and side dishes, but are not suitable for frying. Plants are late in maturity, the yield is low, and can only be grown using manual labor.
Purple potatoes are more expensive than many other varieties
All blue
Judging by the name, it is clear that this variety of purple potatoes with purple flesh is all blue in color.At the same time, the subcutaneous layer has lighter shades, and the peel, on the contrary, is darker. The variety is mid-early, the harvest is formed 80 days after mass germination.
At the same time, large tubers weighing 150-200 g have time to form. But they cannot be stored for a long time - you have to eat them immediately or freeze the cut potatoes into pieces or in a vegetable mixture. So far the variety has not become widespread in Russia, although it has been known in Europe for quite some time. It has good taste and dietary qualities.
The color of the tubers is preserved after frying and baking, but is lost after boiling
Explosion
The Explosion variety is characterized by high productivity and produces large potatoes with an elongated round shape. On average, they reach 150-200 g in weight, although some specimens reach 300 and even 500 g. The peel and pulp are blue. This variety of potato has increased immunity and does not require special care.
The Explosion variety gives a harvest in 65-70 days
Therefore, it is recommended to grow in small quantities in order to use the tubers as quickly as possible.
Lilac
The name of this variety of purple potatoes is associated with the characteristic color - the rich lilac color of the pulp. At the same time, the shade of the peel is normal, dark gray with brownish. This variety of domestic selection was obtained on the basis of VNIIKH. In terms of ripening time, Lilac is classified as mid-season: it takes 95-100 days from the moment of mass shoots to form a crop.
The tubers are small, each weighing 80-100 g. Moreover, each bush produces 10-15 potatoes, so overall the harvest is quite good.The plants are compact and have good immunity to cancer and scab.
Potato tubers Lilac are formed in 3-3.5 months
Red Wonder
The name of this purple potato variety translates as “Red Miracle.” Its flesh is lilac, light purple, and retains its color even after heat treatment. Suitable for all cooking methods - frying, pureeing, baking. Ripens in 80-90 days and is characterized by good yield. The shape of the tubers is oblong-round, weight up to 150 g. They are located compactly in the nest. On the surface the eyes are slightly recessed. The flowers are pinkish, the immunity is average. It lasts a long time and can be stored for months.
The pulp of the Red Wonder variety is a rich red-violet hue.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a mid-early purple potato variety with oblong roots. It boils well, the mass fraction of starch reaches 16%. The tubers are small, weighing 50-70 g. They are formed in 70-80 days. The yield is satisfactory, each bush produces up to 10 tubers. The pulp is tasty and retains its color after cooking.
Grows well on light loams and fertile soils. At the same time, any climate is suitable for cultivation - cultivation is allowed in most regions of Russia.
The Amethyst variety is resistant to late blight, cancer and scab
Peruvian purple
This is an ancient variety of potato that was bred in the highlands of the Andes. Produces elongated tubers weighing approximately 80 g. Ripening time is average - 100-110 days. The yield is low, but the keeping quality is excellent. The tubers are stored until spring and are well transported. The taste of the pulp is very interesting, with hints of walnuts and hazelnuts. Color and aroma are preserved even after heat treatment.
The tubers of the Peruvian violet are elongated, with pronounced eyes
Adirondack blue
A relatively recent variety obtained at Cornell University in the USA. The Adirondack blue variety has medium ripening periods; potatoes appear in 95-100 days. The bushes of the plant are large, the foliage is purple, the flowers are white. The immune system is weak, the crop may suffer from various diseases. The tubers weigh 80-100 g, the dormant period is short, so they are poorly stored. Another drawback is that the pulp becomes pale after heat treatment.
The pulp of this variety does not boil well, so it is suitable for frying and making chips.
Blue Danube
This potato variety has a purple skin and white flesh inside. It grows well in different types of soil and adapts even to unfavorable weather conditions. Resistant to drought, damage and all common diseases.
The harvest is formed quite quickly - 70-80 days pass from germination to the appearance of potatoes. The bushes are low, heavily leafy, the flowers are purple. The stems are quite strong, the foliage is dark green.
The root crops are large, 150-200 g each, each plant produces 8-12 pieces. The shape is elongated, slightly flattened. The yield per bush reaches 2-3 kg. The appearance is good, suitable for commercial cultivation.
Blue Danube is unpretentious and does not require special care
Gypsy
Gypsy is another variety of purple potato with white flesh. According to one version, it occurred due to folk selection based on the Black Prince and Blue Danube varieties (described above). The variety is mid-season, ripens in 70-90 days. There are few leaves, they are small, dark green in color, and the edges are slightly wavy.
Each bush produces from 10 to 14 potatoes weighing 100-130 g. The shape is oval, often elongated, the surface is smooth, there are no depressions or bumps.The peel is thin, the color is violet-blue. The eyes are small, the flesh is creamy when cut. The yield is quite high, reaching 250 kg per hundred square meters. But marketability is low due to the heterogeneity of the tubers.
Gypsy potatoes have a very good taste
Red Wonder
The Red Wonder potato variety has reddish-purple flesh and purple skin. The tubers are round, quite large, oblong in shape, weight up to 100-150 g. The eyes are depressed. Ripening occurs in 80 days. The color remains even after boiling or frying.
Suitable for any heat treatment method
Exotic
Exotic is the most common variety in Russia and neighboring countries, obtained in Holland. Has good disease resistance. Produces large oval tubers. The pulp is very tasty, with an interesting patterned pattern. The color is purple with white streaks.
The pulp is an attractive purple hue with an interesting pattern.
Purple Peliss (Purple Handsome)
Purple Peliss is a variety recently released in the USA. Produces low bushes up to 80 cm, dark green foliage. Resistant to scab and rhizoctonia. The tubers are elongated, oval, the pulp contains a large proportion of water, and is therefore suitable for obtaining juice.
Potato tubers are small, with juicy pulp
Conclusion
There are many different varieties of purple potatoes. They produce healthy root vegetables high in starch, vitamins and anthocyanins. The planting material is quite expensive, but the taste is very interesting and the appearance is unique. Therefore, it is quite possible to try to grow at least 1-2 varieties on your own plot.
Reviews of purple potato varieties
