The Reality of Chinese Potatoes
Chinese potatoes are currently flooding the Vietnamese market, causing confusion among consumers due to their low prices. Many traders have disguised Chinese potatoes by coating them with red soil to make them resemble domestic potatoes and deceive buyers.
However, Chinese potatoes are often treated with growth and preservation chemicals, which may contain substances harmful to health. As a result, this type of produce originating from China is not popular in Vietnam.
How to Distinguish Dalat Potatoes from Chinese Potatoes
Chinese Potatoes
Chinese potatoes, due to the use of growth enhancers, tend to have larger and longer tubers, with uniform sizes. Additionally, their skins are less prone to scratches and are thicker, smoother, and more glossy.
On the surface, you’ll find numerous tiny black dots and relatively large eyes. The flesh of the yellow-skinned variety is pale white, while the pink-skinned type has a deep yellow color.
Chinese potatoes have thick skins that are resistant to scratching. When cut in half, if the cross-section appears watery and moist, it’s a sign of a Chinese potato.
When used to make chипi, they tend to become mushy and lack the desired creamy texture. If fried, they fall apart and don’t attain the desired crispness.
Dalat Potatoes
Dalat potatoes have moderate sizes and are either oval or round, with varying dimensions. Their skins are thin and prone to scratches, and they have fewer and smaller eyes compared to Chinese potatoes.
Dalat potatoes with yellow skins have flesh that ranges from pale yellow to opaque white, while those with pink skins have a lighter yellow hue.
When cut in half, you’ll notice that the surface feels dry, non-sticky, and doesn’t leave residue on your hands.
Dishes made from Dalat potatoes have a naturally sweet, creamy flavor, and when fried, they remain intact and attain a delightful crispness.
Tips for Selecting and Storing Potatoes
Opt for medium-sized potatoes that feel heavy and firm.
Avoid potatoes with wrinkled, indented, or soft skins, as well as those that have sprouted or changed color.
It’s crucial to select reliable and reputable vendors who can provide potatoes with clear origins and guarantee their quality.
For optimal storage, keep potatoes in a cool, well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
When peeling potatoes, immediately soak them in diluted water to eliminate toxins and prevent discoloration. However, avoid prolonged soaking, as it can make the potatoes soggy and deplete their nutritional value.
We hope that these tips will prove useful the next time you shop for, store, or prepare potatoes!