The Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus held a tasting of potato dishes. Its participants were former employees of the institution and representatives of the regional inspection for seed production, quarantine and plant protection.
For testing, the experts were offered boiled potatoes of eight varieties bred by Belarusian breeders. As well as potato pancakes, potato babka, zrazy and pies made from domestic products.
The head of the institute’s marketing group, Svetlana Kirpichenok, who prepared the potato pancakes, shared her culinary secrets with those present. In her opinion, the Manifest variety is best suited for this dish. And you can replace it with Vectar, the record holder for starch content in tubers.
The mid-late table variety Nara, included in the State Register of the Republic in 2019, became the winner of the competition by a large margin from its competitors. Its yield under favorable weather conditions can reach 63,7 tons per hectare. The tubers are oval, with yellow flesh and a starch content of no more than 17%. Nara stores well and is resistant to various diseases, viruses and pests.
In second place was the early Liley variety, which ripens in just 80-90 days. Its tubers are yellow in color and contain 12-15% starch. During heat treatment, Liley does not become overcooked, and dishes made from it have a pleasant taste.
During the tasting, two new products were presented. The Umka potato variety is still being tested, but Garantiya is already listed in the State Register and is now being actively propagated by the institute.
As Sergei Kolotkov, deputy director of the scientific institution for commercial issues, said, tasting of potato dishes has been held for several years. It is noteworthy that its participants choose a new winner every time. This is understandable, because the taste qualities of the agricultural crop beloved by Belarusians are always different, depending on the conditions of a particular year and the place of cultivation.
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