Vitelotte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potato 'Vitelotte' |
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'Vitelotte' potatoes
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| Genus | Solanum |
| Species | Solanum tuberosum |
| Cultivar | 'Vitelotte' |
| Origin | France |
The Vitelotte potato is a special kind of potato from France. It's also known by names like Vitelotte noire or Truffe de Chine. This potato is famous for its unique blue-violet color. People have been growing Vitelotte potatoes in France for a very long time, at least since the early 1800s. It's often called a "gourmet" potato because of its special taste and look.
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What Makes Vitelotte Potatoes Special?
Vitelotte potatoes look very different from regular potatoes. Their skin is a dark blue, almost black, color. Inside, their flesh is a deep violet-blue. When you cook them, they keep their amazing color! This color comes from natural pigments called anthocyanins, which are also found in blueberries and red cabbage.
These potatoes have a unique taste too. Many people say they have a nutty flavor and even smell a bit like chestnuts.
Growing Vitelotte Potatoes
Vitelotte plants take a longer time to grow and mature compared to many modern potato types. They don't produce as many potatoes as some other varieties, but the ones they do grow are special.
The potatoes themselves are long and have "eyes" that are a bit sunken in. They also have thick skins, which helps them stay fresh for a long time after they are harvested.
A Look Back: The History of Vitelotte Potatoes
The name "Vitelotte" has been around for a long time, but it didn't always mean a purple potato. In the early 1800s, there were different kinds of potatoes sold in markets in France. Some were called "vitelotte" and others were called "violette" (which means violet or purple).
By the mid-1800s, people started to describe vitelotte potatoes in different colors, like white, yellow, pink, red, and violet.
However, by 1873, a famous French writer named Alexandre Dumas (who wrote The Three Musketeers!) mentioned Vitelotte potatoes in his big cooking dictionary. He said that the best potatoes were the violet ones, even better than the red ones, and that people in Paris knew them as "Vitelottes." This shows how popular the purple Vitelotte had become!
Images for kids
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Vitelotte potatoes
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Vitelotte potatoes, whole and halved
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Potato crisps made with Vitelotte potatoes
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The leaves and stalks may also show violet colouring
