Potato

The Potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade Solanum tuberosum family, which also include tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers. The Swollen portion of the underground stem called the tuber is edible. The Major producers of Potatoes are China, India, USA, Russia, and Ukraine.

Description:

The Potato is the fourth most important crop worldwide, after wheat, corn, and rice. The Potato has become a staple food in many parts of the world and an integral part of much of the world’s food supply. They can be used in every cuisine worldwide. They often termed as king of vegetables. They are grown underground. The texture of potato is hard with red, brown and yellow colored skin and under the skin, there is pale edible flesh occurred.

Varieties:

There are many varieties of potatoes are cultivated worldwide, which mentioned below:

• White potato
• Russet Potato
• Red Potato
• Klondike Rose Potato
• Yukon Gold potato
• Creamer Potato
• Finger Potato
• Buttercream Potato
• Austrian Potato
• Purple Potato
• Russian Banana potato

Storage:

The Potato can be stored in cool, dry, well-ventilated place for about two weeks and stored in cool temperature for longer time. It is advisable not to store in the refrigerator because the cold temperature of the refrigerator will convert the starches into sugar and the potatoes convert sweet in taste.

Uses:

They are used in a very versatile way in every household. They are used in many ways like; skin on or peeled, whole or cut up, with seasoning, or without. There are several dishes prepared by the potatoes like mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, boiled or steam potatoes, French fries, Potatoes chips, Roasted potatoes, Potato pan cakes. They are often served as side dishes to meat and poultry. They are also used in as ingredients in many dishes, such as stew, soups, scalloped potatoes, and other casserole type dishes.

Health Benefits:

There are many Health’s Benefits mentioned below,

• Promote Weight Gain
• Improve digestion
• Improve Skin
• Treat Scurvy
• Treat Rheumatism
• Reduce Inflammation
• Prevent Cancer
• Lower Blood Pressure
• Improve Brain Function
• Prevent Heart Diseases
• Treat Kidney Stones
• Treat Diarrhea

Nutritional Value of Potatoes:

Nutritional Value of Potatoes contains per 100gms is mentioned below:

Energy                                77 kcal

Carbohydrates                  17.47 g

Starch       15.3 g

Sugars      0.8 g

Fiber         2.1 g

Fat                                        0.1 g

Protein                                 2 g

Vitamins

Thiamine (B1)                     0.08 mg

Riboflavin (B2)                   0.03 mg

Niacin (B3)                         1.05 mg

Pantothenic acid (B5)       0.296 mg

Vitamin B6                          0.295 mg

Folate (B9)                          16 μg

Vitamin C                            19.7 mg

Vitamin E                            0.01 mg

Vitamin K                            1.9 μg

Minerals

Calcium                               12 mg

Iron                                      0.78 mg

Magnesium                        23 mg

Manganese                         0.153 mg

Phosphorus                       57 mg

Potassium                         421 mg

Sodium                              6 mg

Zinc                                    0.29 mg

Properties:

Shape: Oval or Oblong

Size:  1-3 in

Color:  White, red, purple

Taste:  Sweet and buttery