A Science of Taste and Texture
Behind every bag of golden, crispy chips is a world of meticulous research and development. Potatoes USA, in collaboration with commercial growers and processors, runs annual trials to identify new potato varieties that meet the stringent requirements of the chip-making industry. This year’s trials in Chicago brought together nearly 100 industry professionals to evaluate hundreds of potato candidates.
John Lundeen, Research Director at Potatoes USA, emphasized the collaborative nature of these trials:
“This is the process of the industry coming together to improve supply and quality. We stare at data, listen to people, and discuss what the industry is doing to be ready and adapt to new challenges.”
The Traits of a Perfect Chipping Potato
To make the cut, a potato must possess specific traits to ensure consistent quality, profitability, and adaptability. These include:
- Disease Resistance: Ability to withstand common pathogens while maintaining yield.
- Storage Longevity: Varieties grown in northern regions like Wisconsin and Michigan must store well post-harvest.
- Heat Tolerance: In warmer climates like Florida, a thick leaf canopy is essential to resist heat and humidity.
- High Specific Gravity: Essential for creating chips that are light, crispy, and visually appealing.
- Profitability: A balance of yield for farmers and processing efficiency for manufacturers.
From Trials to Chips
The journey of a chipping potato from field to factory is rigorous. Initial trials focus on growing performance, resistance, and adaptability across diverse climates. Promising varieties undergo repeated testing, with adjustments made by farmers—such as altering planting density or irrigation techniques—to optimize results.
Even with these efforts, only a fraction of candidates make it to commercial production. Those that do must prove their worth in real-world environments, delivering consistent quality and flavor to the end consumer.
Meeting Industry Challenges
The evolving landscape of agriculture poses new hurdles, including emerging diseases and shifting consumer preferences. Industry-wide collaboration, like that seen at the trials, is crucial to addressing these challenges.
