EEUU: Is America ready for a new potato
From the Russet to the red and yellow, to specialty potato varieties, the US is a large producer and consumer of potatoes. In recent years, more people are seeking out new varieties and there is an increasing focus on flavor.
One US-based company has been tasked with distributing one of the newest varieties of potatoes - the Huckleberry Gold. Grown in Idaho, Washington and Oregon, the Huckleberry Gold is a cross breed of European and American varieties.
"The Huckleberry Gold is a purple-skinned, yellow-flesh potato that has been cultivated in the Northwest by our grower partner," said Harris Cutler of Race-West, the company chosen to distribute the variety. "Every year they try out different varieties and last August, they began harvesting the Huckleberry Gold. The company grow for flavor and this year they are working on an all-purple potato."
"The parentage of the Huckleberry is fascinating," he added. "It was devised from a mix of European and American varieties including Agria, as well as Viking Red, Norgold Russet, Sangre red and Bison red. These are some of the best eating varieties that have ever been and the Huckleberry Gold is a product of these."
Hoping to expand volume
The 2017 harvest crop was the first commercial crop of the Huckleberry Gold. Suppliers still have the potato available for another month or so. Unfortunately, the new variety won’t be grown commercially this year, although organic will be available. Cutler explained that the reason is due to the lack of seeds available, which for a new developmental variety is more common.
"We still have availability for the next 30 - 60 days and then it will be finished for the year," he said. "We have the ability to distribute them nationally."
"This year, we will have organic Huckleberry Golds available and we are hopeful that next year we can return to commercial volumes in conventional again," Cutler continued. "There were not enough seeds available for planting this season. Seeds always tend to be more difficult to obtain for boutique varieties."
Consumers more aware of flavor
Suppliers are noticing that US consumers are becoming more aware of flavor. Therefore, according to them, fruits and vegetables that have richer flavors are ascending in popularity. "In Europe, consumers have been shopping for flavor for generations and here in the US, we are only just catching on," Cutler observed. "Potato varieties similar to the Huckleberry Gold have already been popular in Europe and we think that this variety can be a big winner in the US."
"Race-West is a family owned business that specializes in root vegetables," he shared. "Our entire family participates in the business and our company focus is to bring more flavorful and healthy varieties of produce into the market."
For more information:
Harris Cutler
Race-West Company, Inc.
Tel: +1 (570) 586-5700
spudsrus@icloud.com
Publication date: 6/22/2018
Author: Dennis M. Rettke
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com
Fuente: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/196958/Is-America-ready-for-a-new-potato
