Introduction to Potatoes

Potatoes: Everyone’s Carbs Favorite

Potato is a type of horticultural crop that is consumed by its tubers. The skin of the potato is light yellowish brown while the inside is white or yellow. Potatoes are shrub-shaped annuals, with rectangular stems and reddish-green or purple leaves.

Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates that are known as a source of energy so that many are used as staple foods. The antioxidant content in potatoes can prevent free radicals from damaging body cells so that if consumed regularly, it can reduce the risk of developing cancer. Potatoes are also high in potassium, which optimizes heart health and lowers blood pressure. Potatoes can be processed by frying, boiling, steaming, and baking to produce a variety of culinary enriching dishes.

Binomial Name

Solanum tuberosum L.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom

Plantae

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta

Subdivisi

Spermatophyta

Divisi

Magnoliophyta

Kelas

Magnoliopsida

Subkelas

Asteridae

Ordo

Solanales

Famili

Solanaceae

Genus

Solanum

Spesies

Solanum tuberosum L.

The Origin of the Potato

From the South American Highlands to Indonesia

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) originated in the highest regions of western South America, namely the Andean highlands of Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Potato tubers have been cultivated since 8000 BC.  

Potatoes were introduced to Europe by the Spanish in 1565. From Europe, it spread to other countries, including Indonesia, through the Dutch colonization. By 1811, potatoes were already widespread in Indonesia, especially in mountainous areas. Some of the potato production centers in Indonesia today are: East Java, Central Java, West Java.

Fun Facts

After defeating the Incas, Spanish colonizers took control of Peru and brought potatoes to Europe.

History

In Indonesia, potatoes were first discovered in 1794 in the Cisarua area of Cimahi, West Java.

Nutrient Content of Potatoes

Per (100 gram)
Protein

2,1 gr

Fat

0,2 gr

Carbohydrate

13,5 gr

Fiber

0,5 gr

Calcium

63 mg

Phosphor

58 mg

Sodium

7 mg

Copper

0,4 mg

Zinc

0,3 mg

Potassium

396 mg

Iron

0,7 mg

Vitamin B1

0,09 mg

Vitamin B2

0,1 mg

Vitamin B3

1 mg

Vitamin C

21 mg

Key Health Benefits

Neutralizes free radicals

Potatoes are rich in antioxidants, ranging from flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids that are beneficial in warding off free radicals.

Regulates blood sugar levels

Potatoes contain a type of starch that can reduce insulin resistance, making them suitable for people with diabetes to control blood sugar.

Maintain digestive health

The resistant starch in potatoes also helps in the treatment of peptic ulcers by relieving stomach pain and neutralizing excessively high stomach acidity levels.

Maintains heart health

The high potassium content in potatoes plays a role in lowering blood pressure and avoiding heart disease.

Removes dark circles under the eyes

Potato slices placed under the eyes can help remove dark circles under the eyes.

Potato Varieties

Potato Varieties You Should Know

Granola

A potato variety for making soup, it has yellow flesh and skin, an oval shape, and a fluffy and slightly sweet flavor.

Atlantic

A potato variety for making chips, oval to round in shape, and has white flesh.

Manohara

Potato variety suitable for making chips, has an oval tuber shape, medium flavor, high production potential, tolerant to Pseudomonas solanacearum wilt bacteria.

Krespo

Potatoes that can produce the best french fries with cream-colored tuber skin and white flesh, oval-shaped with tuber sizes ranging from 5-6 cm, and this variety is resistant to root nematodes and late blight.

Tenggo

Has a high productivity of 33.5 tons/hectare, the tuber skin is yellow, the flesh is cream, the tuber is round with a size ranging from 6-7 cm.

Agrihorti

Round tuber shape, with yellow tuber skin color and white tuber flesh. The average tuber length ranges from 9-10 cm. With a production potential of 28-32 tons per hectare and resistance to P. infestans leaf blight, Agrihorti is suitable for chips.

Sparkle
Petir

You should know

There are about 5,000 potato varieties worldwide, with 3,000 of them in the Andes.

Economic and Market Potential

Potatoes: An Export Commodity with Great Potential

Potato production in Indonesia reached 1.36 million tons in 2021. Potato production increased by 6.1% from the previous year’s 1.28 million tons. 

Indonesian potato imports and exports are carried out in fresh and processed form. In 2021, the export value of Indonesian potatoes was dominated by fresh potatoes at 48.02% with a value of USD 2.79 million. While the form of potatoes imported by Indonesia is dominated by processed form. In 2021, Indonesia imported 81.72% of processed potatoes with a value of USD 95.63 million and 18.28% in the form of fresh potatoes or worth USD 21.38 million. The demand of potato raw materials for industry can reach 100 tons per day but most of it is still met by imported potatoes.

Export Value

Indonesia is a major producer of potatoes in Southeast Asia

Fakta Menarik

Potato export destinations are Singapore, China, Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka.

Read More Articles about Potatoes at Kebunindo

Explore more articles about Potatoes at Kebunindo. Learn more about the cultivation, benefits, and economic potential of potatoes.

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