Potatoes: A versatile tuber with a rich history and a bright future

Native to Germany? Not at all. The origins of the potato

Potatoes are earthy tubers that originated in the Andes. They were cultivated there thousands of years ago. Spanish sailors brought them to Europe in the 16th century. Exactly how they made their way to Germany is not known for certain. Initially, their cultivation in this country is said to have been met with scepticism – not least because potatoes belong to the nightshade family, which also includes poisonous relatives.

People were, in some cases, more open to the potato’s attractive flowers than to eating it. From the 17th to the 19th century, however – and particularly thanks to Charlemagne – the potato also gained popularity in this country. It helped to feed large numbers of people, which was also crucial in times of war. Then, as now, the potato’s ability to be stored for long periods was a major advantage. Today, the various potato varieties are an important staple food.

The selection of varieties and their use

Just as with apples, there is a wide variety of potato varieties, each with its own characteristics, for example in terms of flavour or texture. This, in turn, makes them suitable for a variety of dishes. As is well known, the standard classification is as follows:

• Waxy varieties: Potatoes with this designation have a low starch content and tend to remain firm even during cooking. This makes them ideal for potato gratins, fried potatoes or salads, for example.

• Mainly waxy varieties: These predominantly waxy potatoes are particularly versatile. They retain a medium firmness after cooking. This makes them ideal for dishes such as chips, rösti, boiled potatoes and jacket potatoes.

• Floury varieties: Due to their high starch content, floury potatoes become particularly soft during cooking. This is particularly handy for mashed potatoes, soups, potato pancakes or dumplings.

In addition, there are other special varieties, but the majority of the potatoes used can be categorised according to this scheme.

Fun fact: Potato varieties are almost always named after women, such as Sieglinde, Laura or Adretta. Whether this is due to the fact that the potato has a feminine article, or in line with the theory that farmers named them after their most beautiful daughters – only a few male names, such as ‘Blauer Schwede’, break this female dominance.

Potatoes in the food industry

They can be prepared in endless variations, seasoned in all sorts of ways and always taste good. No wonder, then, that potatoes are an integral part of the food production and processing industry. There are countless frozen products alone – such as chips, potato wedges and rösti – that need to be produced. Added to this are ready-to-eat or quick-prep meals, such as powdered mashed potato mixes or the timeless snack: crisps. Processing potatoes on such a large scale requires suitable equipment. This includes, for example, the following machines and tools designed specifically for the tuber.

• Potato peeler: For small businesses and restaurants, a standard paring knife is usually sufficient. In large-scale operations, where thousands of potatoes need to be peeled every day, a potato peeling machine is a better option. It peels the tubers fully automatically and prepares them for further processing.

• Potato weevil: Whether for stuffed potatoes or for removing small dark spots, potato corers are precise and useful tools. This applies just as much to home kitchens as it does to commercial kitchens.

• Potato masher and press: Where fine purées or potatoes prepared in a different form with a finely mashed texture are required, potato mashers and presses are used. With their help, other potato dishes can be prepared in no time.

This represents only a fraction of the equipment used in potato processing. Other classic examples include Dosing & spice scoops are also used here.

Potatoes and more with Ehlert GmbH

In addition to processing tools, there are potato-based processed foods used in the food industry. It is not uncommon for them to form the basis of tasty products or to help achieve an optimal texture – for example, through the use of potato starch or fibre. There is plenty to discover in our range when it comes to potatoes. Furthermore, we offer you all the equipment you need for hygienic and flawless food production – from the necessary Foodwear from spices to Transparencies and Packaging.

Our bespoke products and solutions are based on many years of market expertise. We understand the challenges and address them head-on – so you can benefit from this.