Russet Burbank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potato 'Russet Burbank' |
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| Genus | Solanum |
| Species | S. tuberosum |
| Cultivar | 'Russet Burbank' |
| Origin | 1902 |
The Russet Burbank is a very popular type of potato. It has dark brown skin and only a few "eyes" (the little spots where sprouts grow). This potato is the most widely grown kind in North America.
It's a russet potato type, which means its inside is white, dry, and has a fluffy texture when cooked. Russet Burbank potatoes are great for baking, mashing, and making crispy french fries. Many people love this potato because it's so common and versatile.
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Where Did Russet Burbank Potatoes Come From?
This special potato started as a natural change, called a mutation, from another potato called 'Burbank'. A famous plant breeder named Luther Burbank discovered it.
The story of the Russet Burbank potato began in 1851. A person named Chauncey E. Goodrich brought a potato called the Rough Purple Chili Potato from South America. He wanted to add new types of potatoes to America. This was important because many American potatoes were getting sick from a disease called late blight.
Goodrich then grew a potato called Garnet Chili from the Rough Purple Chili. Later, Albert Bresee grew Early Rose from Garnet Chili. Finally, Luther Burbank used Early Rose to create the 'Burbank' potato. The Russet Burbank potato came from this 'Burbank' potato.
For a long time, people thought the Russet Burbank was found in 1914. But a study in 2014 showed it was actually released in 1902. It was first known by a different name, the Netted Gem.
Luther Burbank wanted to make potatoes stronger against diseases. He chose the potato that became known as "the Burbank." Back then, plants grown from parts like tubers (potatoes) could not get patents in the United States.
How Russet Burbank Potatoes Became Popular
At first, the Russet Burbank potato was not very popular. In 1930, it made up only 4% of potatoes in the US. But things changed when farmers in Idaho started using irrigation. This helped them grow very large Russet Burbank potatoes, which were perfect for baking.
Its popularity grew even more with two big inventions. First, frozen french fries were invented in the 1940s. Then, fast food restaurants became popular in the 1950s. These restaurants, like McDonald's, loved Russet Burbank potatoes. Their large size makes long, perfect french fries.
By the 2010s, Russet Burbank potatoes were a huge part of the processed potato market in North America. They made up over 70% of these potatoes. They also covered more than 40% of all potato farms in the US. After many years, people in North America now see the Russet Burbank as the standard potato. Other potatoes are often compared to it.
What Russet Burbank Plants Look Like
Russet Burbank plants are medium-sized. Their stems are not too thick and have clear angles. The leaves are also medium-sized, with big main leaflets. The plant's flowers are medium-sized too, with dark green buds that fall off easily.
The potatoes themselves are large and long. They are shaped like a cylinder or are slightly flat. These potatoes have many "eyes" spread evenly across them. When they sprout, the new shoots are a brownish-purple color.
Storing Russet Burbank Potatoes
Russet Burbank potatoes are great for storing. They can be kept for a long time, up to five months, at about 7°C (45°F). You usually don't need to use special gases to stop them from sprouting.
However, sometimes a problem called "internal black spot" (IBS) can happen while they are stored. Also, if the potatoes are picked from the ground too early, their skin might peel off easily.
How Russet Burbank Potatoes Resist Diseases
The Russet Burbank potato is very good at resisting a disease called black leg. It is also somewhat resistant to common scab and a type of rot called fusarium dry rot.
But, it can get sick from other diseases. These include another type of fusarium dry rot, late blight, leaf roll, and some viruses.
