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…
Potatoes are a high satiety index food, approximately 2.5 times that of comparable carbohydrates such as rice and pasta. The higher the satiety index the greater the feeling of fullness for longer. Refer to our Potato Nutrition Booklet for more information. What is the satiety index? The satiety index (SI) was developed a researcher at the University…
Carbohydrate-rich foods like potatoes are a good source of energy. For a balanced diet, carbohydrates should supply just over half your daily calories or energy needs, with most of these coming from complex carbohydrates. The big advantage of getting carbohydrates from potatoes, rather than pasta or rice, is that potatoes supply a wealth of other…
The New Zealand Ministry of Health Guidelines include potatoes in their recommendation of three vegetable serves per day. For good health it is essential to eat five or more servings of fresh fruit and vegetables each day. Baked, boiled, microwaved or mashed potatoes are a great way to get one serving towards your 5 a…
Most athletes need to focus on getting enough carbohydrates into their diet. Potatoes are a great source of carbohydrate and are a great way to do this. Read what Jeni Pearce, Performance Nutrition Lead at High Performance Sport New Zealand says about potatoes for performance. Potatoes and carbohydrates To help get the correct balance of carbohydrates…
Nutritious and delicious all fresh potatoes are naturally gluten free. With the rising awareness of gluten intolerance and celiac disease, many people are searching for delicious and nutritious gluten free options. View the gluten free recipes on this website. Fortunately, many foods are naturally gluten free, including all fruits and vegetables. Nutritious and delicious fresh…
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