Table of contents
- shallowness
- Rhizoctonia infection
- black spot
- Tobacco Rattle Virus
- Stains appearing after cooking
- frequently asked Questions
After peeling or cooking, a potato has brown to black spots on the inside. This doesn't look very appetizing at first. And above all, the question arises as to whether the potato is still suitable for consumption or not. Since the causes of this discoloration can vary, in some cases they are still edible after removing the dark areas, in other cases they must be disposed of.
shallowness
If a raw potato is cut open, star-shaped holes with a brown border are often visible. This is a maintenance error in the cultivation. Because the shallowness is a result of nutrient and water stress during growth.
Typical characteristics
- Flesh in the middle only slightly discolored brown
- so-called brown mark
- Precursor of maldevelopment
- Tuber is edible
- Voids have changed consistency
- are often perceived as unpleasant when consumed
Rhizoctonia infection
Rhizoctonia infection is a fungal disease also known as beet rot. However, this is only an optical change in the pulp, in this case the edibility is unrestricted. Nevertheless, it is advisable to remove the dark areas before consumption:
- superficial, single spots in the pulp
- can later extend deep into the middle
- dark to black color
A notice:
Potatoes that have been stored in particular can be affected by the fungus. If stored cool and dry, fungal growth can be prevented.
black spot
Black spotting is very similar in appearance to Rhizoctonia infection, but the cause is entirely different. Because this is mechanical damage that has damaged the pulp inside due to external influences. Black spots are pressure points, which should not be underestimated:
- initially gray spots
- later blue to black
- Potatoes can be eaten
- the dark spots are also edible
However, the damaged areas offer a very good opportunity for rot or mold pathogens to penetrate and should therefore be removed before consumption. After some time, the entire tuber spoils and then has to be disposed of.
Tip:
If an unpeeled and uncooked potato feels soft and mushy on the outside, then it will be infected by the rot and mold pathogens and is therefore no longer edible as a whole.
Tobacco Rattle Virus
Tobacco rattle virus is iron spot. This is quickly recognized by the tiny brown spots, which, however, spread over a large area throughout the pulp. These spots also only become visible after the raw potato has been peeled and cut open:
- Virus is transmitted by roundworms
- the nematodes suck at the roots of the plant
- Prevention is not possible
- Threadworms can be found in any soil
- Remove affected areas on the tuber before consumption
A notice:
Despite everything, the affected areas of iron spotting are edible. If the spots run through the entire flesh of a potato, you can still eat it without hesitation. However, it is the appearance that keeps many people from eating the brown tubers.
Stains appearing after cooking
In the raw state after peeling and cutting, the potato still looks healthy, there are no visible spots. These only show up after cooking. Then dark brown areas show up inside the potato:
- chemical reaction
- Chlorogenic acid and iron react by heating
- Iron is responsible for the black spots
- unrestricted enjoyment
- Stains do not need to be removed
A notice:
Even if in most cases eating the spotted potatoes is not discouraged, it is always your own feelings that should be in the foreground. If you are not comfortable with the dark spots on the tubers, do not eat them.
frequently asked Questions
As a rule, freshly harvested potatoes are not darkly discolored. This is where the green color comes from. Therefore, the brown discoloration is usually one Storage error, which can be avoided. You should always store potatoes in a cool and dark place and make sure that they get enough air circulation between the individual tubers. Various stains are therefore more common in store-bought tubers than in home-grown tubers.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell from the skin what the flesh of the potato looks like. The spots are usually only recognized after cooking or peeling. It is therefore quite possible that you buy a bag of potatoes in the store where the fruit looks good on the outside but the flesh is stained.
Potatoes can have a light green color below the skin but also further in the inner area. These green spots are caused by the poison solanine, which the potato uses to protect itself against predators. Green spots appear when the plants are stored or cultivated too brightly. Since the poison is not easily digestible for us humans either, the green spots should be generously removed before cooking, because the poison is not destroyed by cooking.
Maike
Learn more about potatoes
Black spots on potatoes: still use them?
Potatoes can have black spots. The potatoes are almost always edible despite the black spots. However, affected potatoes may show changes in taste and texture.
Time: from and until when do you plant potatoes?
Potatoes are among the most widely grown vegetables. So that self-cultivation works and a lush harvest can be brought in over many months, self-cultivators should pay attention to one important point: the right time to plant.
Planting potatoes: distance and depth
The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a staple food with a wide range of preparation options. The tubers are indispensable in many dishes and are tastiest when you pick them yourself. What could be more obvious than growing them yourself. You can do this without your own garden.
Mixed culture: 14 good neighbors of potatoes
German cuisine would be unthinkable without potatoes. Have you ever thought about growing the delicious tubers in your own garden? Use the advantages of a mixed culture! We present 14 plants that are suitable for mixed cultivation with potatoes.
Laying potatoes: ideal spacing and depth
Potatoes are good for the vegetable garden because they prepare the soil optimally for subsequent vegetables. They can also be stored for a long time and can be prepared in a variety of ways. You can read here which spacing is the right one for laying potatoes.
Storing & Cellaring Potatoes | 10 tips for storing potatoes
The potato is one of the most traditional vegetables in this country and can hardly be surpassed in terms of culinary variety. Anyone who grows them in their own garden can benefit from a huge variety of varieties and, if stored appropriately, can benefit from them for a long time.
