Wondering if all purple potatoes are sweet? Let’s explore the truth
Purple potatoes are soft and waxy and sweet. Many people like to eat them. Are all purple potatoes sweet? Here is the answer!
Not all purple potatoes are sweet
Its taste will vary depending on different varieties, growing conditions and cooking methods.
Variety differences
If you observe carefully, you will find that there are many varieties of purple potatoes on the market, including purple heart, purple skin and other varieties. Different varieties of purple potatoes will have different tastes and sweetness.
Some purple potatoes are closer to the original taste of potatoes themselves, with a more simple taste and a slight starchiness; while some varieties may have a more obvious sweetness. Although this sweetness is not as strong as that of sweet potatoes, it has a delicate and mild taste.
Differences in growing conditions and soil
The taste of potatoes is greatly affected by soil and environment. For example, in high mountain areas with cool climates, purple potatoes may have more minerals in the soil and have a stronger starchiness; in warm and humid climates, some purple potato varieties may become sweeter.
Influence of cooking methods
The taste of purple potatoes will also be affected by cooking methods. Purple potatoes after baking or steaming can show their natural sweetness better than boiled potatoes. Because during the heating process, starch will be converted into sugar, making the taste softer and sweeter.
If you want to experience the sweetness of purple potatoes, it is recommended to try baking or steaming instead of frying or making soup.
Do purple potatoes taste the same as regular potatoes?
The taste of purple potatoes is different from that of ordinary potatoes:
In terms of taste, some ordinary potatoes are relatively crisp and suitable for shredding and stir-frying; some are relatively powdery and suitable for making mashed potatoes; while many purple potatoes have a kind of powdery and glutinous taste. Eating them is a bit like eating soft and glutinous taro with a relatively fine texture.
Normally, ordinary potatoes have a relatively mild taste, mainly earthy smell and a faint starch smell. While some varieties of purple potatoes have a unique flavor and may have a faint sweetness or a stronger potato fragrance. Purple potatoes contain more nutrients such as anthocyanins, and these ingredients also affect the taste of purple potatoes to a certain extent.
However, cooking methods will also change their taste presentation. If they are all fried, then they may both have a crispy skin and a soft interior, but purple potatoes may still retain that unique sweetness. If made into soup, purple potatoes will make the soup more beautiful in color and give the soup a stronger potato fragrance.
Why are my purple potatoes white inside?
Natural variation: Under normal circumstances, the inside of purple potatoes should be purple, but it may be due to natural variation, some purple potato varieties are born with white or purple and white texture, which is a normal genetic phenomenon, and it is safe to eat.
Oxidation reaction: If the potato skin is damaged, its internal eye tissue will be stimulated to produce a substance called polyphenol oxidase, which makes the internal anthocyanin oxidation reaction to form purple pigment precipitation. However, this purple pigment has no effect on human health.
Variety characteristics: When some purple potato varieties grow, due to genetic or environmental factors, the internal color will be inconsistent with the outside, and there will be white or purple and white.
Storage conditions: During storage, if the ambient humidity is too high or too low, it may cause its internal color to change and white spots or stripes appear.
Deterioration: There is also a possibility that the purple potato has deteriorated, which is an abnormal situation and is not recommended for further consumption.
What are the best purple seed potatoes?
There are many varieties of purple potatoes. There is no so-called best variety. Different varieties of potatoes have their own fans. Here are several purple potato varieties for you:
Purple Baby
Purple Baby is currently one of the extremely popular purple potatoes. Its skin is dark purple and its interior is relatively uniform purple. The taste is delicate and has a strong milky fragrance. It is especially suitable for baking, boiling or making salads. It contains a relatively high content of purple anthocyanins and has excellent antioxidant properties.
Purple Heart
Purple Heart belongs to another kind of potato with purple skin and pink-purple or purple interior. It has a relatively high sweetness and a more delicate and soft taste compared to ordinary potatoes. It is suitable for making French fries, baked potatoes and steaming. The taste is very wonderful.
Bianco
The skin of Bianco purple potato is light purple and its interior is white or light purple. Although it is not as completely purple as other purple potatoes, its taste is extremely soft and delicate, suitable for making mashed potatoes or making soup. It has a relatively high water content and is easier to absorb seasonings during cooking, making the dishes especially flavorful.
Purple Gem
Purple Gem is a small purple potato. The skin is dark purple and the flesh is light purple. Its taste is relatively powdery and glutinous. It is very suitable for making French fries or baking. Due to its small size, after baking, it is especially crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, with rich and diverse tastes. It is especially suitable as a side dish.
King Potato
King Potato is also known as "French purple sweet potato". It is a purple potato variety from France. Its skin is deep purple and its interior is also purple. Moreover, the taste has a nutty flavor. It is suitable for making baked potatoes, stews or stir-fries. The taste of King Potato is relatively rich and chewy, suitable for people who like unique tastes.
Idaho Purple Potato
Although Idaho purple potatoes are not as famous as traditional yellow Idaho potatoes, their purple skin and purple flesh make them widely popular in salads and various cooking methods. The taste is relatively dry and suitable for baking, boiling, and frying. It is especially delicious in salads or stews.
Potato Purple Emperor
The skin of Purple Emperor potato is deep purple and the flesh is purple. It is a relatively new variety. The taste has both starchiness and a little sweetness. After baking, it is fragrant and suitable for various cooking methods, especially for making baked French fries and mashed potatoes. The taste is rich.
Are purple potatoes good for you?
Purple potatoes are good for human health.
First of all, purple potatoes contain a large amount of anthocyanins, which are a very strong antioxidant. Just like a little guard in the body, it can resist the damage of free radicals and slow down the aging speed. Eating an appropriate amount of purple potatoes in life can have the effect of delaying aging.
From a nutritional point of view, purple potatoes are a source of high-quality carbohydrates and can provide the energy needed daily for the human body; at the same time, purple potatoes also contain a variety of vitamins, such as vitamin C and vitamin B group. These substances are very important for maintaining the normal physiological functions of the human body.
Secondly, the mineral content in purple potatoes, such as potassium, magnesium and other substances. Among them, potassium is helpful for maintaining the normal function of the heart and stabilizing blood pressure. Magnesium helps relax muscles and also has a certain role in relieving stress.
Finally, purple potatoes have a relatively high content of dietary fiber. Eating an appropriate amount can help clean up garbage in the intestines, promote intestinal peristalsis and prevent constipation.
Are purple potatoes genetically modified?
Purple potatoes are not genetically modified foods.
Purple potatoes are native to Peru in South America and are non-genetically modified products. They are selected through traditional breeding methods rather than being changed through genetic technology.
