Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) – find manufacturers and suppliers

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) belong to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and are one of the most important crops worldwide.

The potato is an environmentally friendly food with a high yield and is relatively undemanding in terms of cultivation conditions.

Below you will find the properties, origin, history and possible uses of potatoes, as well as their importance and future:

The properties of potatoes:

1. Appearance: The potato plant has a herbaceous, perennial structure with green leaves and white, purple or pink flowers.
2. Tuber formation: The edible tubers grow underground and serve as storage organs for nutrients.
3. Ingredients: Potatoes consist mainly of water (~78%), carbohydrates (especially starch), fiber, vitamins (especially vitamin C, B6) and minerals (especially potassium, magnesium).
4. Variety: There are numerous potato varieties with different characteristics, e.g. waxy, predominantly waxy and floury varieties.

Origin and history of potatoes:

The potato originally comes from South America, particularly from the Andean regions (present-day Peru and Bolivia). It was cultivated there by indigenous peoples around 8,000 years ago.

Spread to Europe: Spanish sailors brought the plant to Europe in the 16th century. It was initially used as an ornamental plant before its nutritional value was recognized.

Significance in Germany: From the 18th century, Frederick the Great promoted potato cultivation in Prussia, establishing it as a staple food.

Use of potatoes:

Potatoes are extremely versatile and are used in many areas:

1. Food industry:
Boiled, fried or baked potatoes e.g. boiled potatoes, roast potatoes, jacket potatoes.
Potato products such as French fries, potato chips or croquettes.
Potato flour and starch for food production.

2. Industrial use:
Production of starch for paper, adhesives and textiles.
Use in alcohol production (potato schnapps)

3. Use in agriculture:
Animal feed: potatoes and potato waste are used as animal feed.
Biological use: Potato peelings and waste can be composted or used for biogas production.

Importance and future of potatoes:

The potato is an environmentally friendly food with a high yield and relatively low cultivation requirements. In times of climate change and food shortages, it continues to gain in importance, especially thanks to new, more resistant varieties.

Below you will find an overview of the most important criteria to look out for when buying potatoes:

When buying potatoes, there are numerous factors to consider to ensure quality, economy and sustainability.

• Determine which variety is suitable for the intended use:
• Firm-boiling, predominantly firm-boiling or floury-boiling - depending on the use.
• Special varieties for specific applications, e.g. chips, potato chips, puree.
• Variety of origin: regionality, taste and yield.
• The following quality criteria should be observed:
• Size & calibration: Uniform size for uniform processing.
• Skin & surface: Smooth, undamaged skin, no green spots or sprouts.
• Flesh color & consistency: Suitable for the intended use (e.g. yellowish, whitish).
• Dry matter content: Influence on texture and processing (e.g. high starch content for fries).
• Regional or imported goods: The origin has an influence on taste, quality and sustainability.
• Which cultivation methods were used for production? Conventional, organic or sustainable cultivation.
• Does the producer have certifications? EU organic, GlobalG.A.P., QS, Demeter etc.
• Please note the storage conditions: Cool, dark, well ventilated (ideal: 4-8 °C).
• Which method was used to inhibit germination? Natural methods or chemical-free alternatives?
• How is the packaging? This has an influence on the shelf life and quality (loose, net bags, large containers).
• Do you prefer resource-saving cultivation? What is the water consumption, are soil-conserving methods used? Have pesticides been avoided?
• Compare prices to make sure you are getting a fair deal for the quality and quantity you want. Organic and fair trade potatoes can be more expensive, but often offer added value through better quality and ethical benefits.
• Look for consistent quality and on-time delivery.

By considering these factors, you can choose potatoes that are not only high quality, but also sustainable and fit for purpose.

Potatoes can be purchased from various suppliers. Comprehensive information about growers and suppliers of potatoes from all over the world can be found at Exportpages.