The term ‘phytochemicals’ refers to a wide variety of compounds made by plants which affect our health. The benefits of eating potatoes because of the nutrients they contain such as carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals, is widely known. However, scientific attention is now focusing on many other potato compounds which have a range of other…
Carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes are a good source of energy. For a balanced diet, carbohydrates should supply just over half of your daily energy needs, with most of these coming from complex carbohydrates. A great advantage of getting carbohydrates from potatoes, rather than pasta or rice, is that potatoes supply a wealth of other vital…
Potatoes can be used in the following exclusion diets: Gluten free Wheat free Dairy free Egg free Nut free Low chemical (white peeled potatoes) Moderate chemical Low FODMAP Care needs to be taken that intolerant foods are not added to potatoes during preparing, cooking and serving. We recommend people following exclusion diets consult a Dietitian…
Potatoes play an important role in feeding the world as they are one of the largest food crops on the planet. The world is increasingly facing land and water issues, so potatoes are an excellent food choice. They are an efficient plant as 85% of what grows can be eaten – however, the leaves and…
Preparing potatoes There are a number of decisions that you can make in order to maximise the nutritional benefits of potatoes. The list below shows how to ensure potatoes remain a healthy choice. Cooking with the skin on Some nutrients, particularly phytonutrients, are present in much higher concentrations in or just below the skin, in addition,…
How do I know which potato to buy? Buy potatoes suited for end use. Growers cook-test potatoes and then label them accordingly. That way the purchaser can be confident that the potato will cook as expected. What should I look for in good potatoes? Choose potatoes that have no cuts, bruises, green patches or shoots….
Potato texture changes throughout the year As the season progresses a potato changes e.g. an Ilam Hardy early in the season (October) is quite waxy. A mid season Ilam Hardy is a good general purpose potato, while towards the end of the season a lot more of the natural sugars have converted to starch, so…
Buying potatoes Ask your supplier what varieties are available and in season. Look for the New Zealand Gap logo. Order the right variety for the cooking purpose. Order the amount required and in good time to ensure good stock rotation. Rotate stock every few days. Storing and handling potatoes Always keep potatoes in a dry, frost-free place…
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an herbaceous annual that grows up to 100 cm tall and produces a tuber – also called potato – so rich in starch that it ranks as the world’s fourth most important food crop, after maize, wheat and rice. Note: The tubers are eaten, not the leaves or fruit of the plant….
The potato’s story begins about 8,000 years ago near Lake Titicaca, which sits at 3,800 m (12,500 ft) above sea level in the Andes mountain range of South America, on the border between Bolivia and Peru. There, research indicates, communities of hunters and gatherers who had first entered the South American continent at least 7,000…
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