Russian blue potato
{{Short description|Potato cultivar}}
{{Infobox cultivar
| name = Potato 'Russian blue'
| image = Russian Blue potato.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| genus = Solanum
| species = Solanum tuberosum
| hybrid =
| subspecies =
| variety =
| group =
| cultivar = Russian blue
| marketing_names =
| breeder =
| origin = Russia
| subdivision =
}}
The Russian blue potato is a deep purple cultivar of potato believed to have originated in Russia.
Characteristics
The Russian blue potato plant produces medium round and oblong tubers with deep purple insides.{{Cite web|last=Chesnut|first=Helen|date=2020-03-04|title=Helen Chesnut's Garden Notes: If space is limited, choose high-yielding potato|url=https://www.timescolonist.com/homes/helen-chesnut-s-garden-notes-if-space-is-limited-choose-high-yielding-potato-1.24089187|access-date=2021-07-22|website=Times Colonist}} It is a late season variety of potato. The plants themselves are large, semi-erect, and produce light blue flowers and dark foliage.{{cite magazine|last1=Adam|first1=Judith|date=2007|title=Pepped-Up Potatoes|trans-title=|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/217794431|url-status=|format=|magazine=Canadian Gardening|language=|location=Markham|publisher=Transcontinental Media|volume=18|issue=1|pages=74–78|issn=0847-3463|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-07-22|id={{ProQuest|217794431}} |quote=}}{{Cite news|last=Chesnut|first=Helen|date=2005-11-03|title=Cool November a fine time for cosy fires, comfort foods|page=C3|work=Victoria Times Colonist|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/348049993|access-date=2021-07-22|id={{ProQuest|348049993}} }}{{Cite news|last=Whysall|first=Steve|date=2010-05-10|title=These veggies do double duty; Some plants offer attractive flowers and foliage in addition to tasty vegetables|page=B2|work=Alaska Highway News|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/276158561|access-date=2021-07-22|id={{ProQuest|276158561}} }}
Development
Russian blues are believed to have originated before the 1900s.{{Cite web|title=Russian Blue|url=http://heritagepotato.ca/heritage-potatoes/profiles/russian-blue/|access-date=2021-07-23|website=Heritage Potatoes – Canada|language=en-US}}
Cooking
Russian blues are rich in anthocyanin, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.{{Cite news|last=David|first=Cynthia|date=2015-07-22|title=Fresh bites: Endless possibilities with Russian Blue potatoes|work=Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2015/07/22/fresh-bites-endless-possibilities-with-russian-blue-potatoes.html|access-date=2021-07-22}} The potatoes retain their colour when cooked{{Cite news|last=Schultz|first=Judy|date=2003-04-16|title=Russian blue, Yukon gold lend colour to spud bowl|page=G3|work=Edmonton Journal|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/253537829|access-date=2021-07-22|id={{ProQuest|253537829}} }} and have a similar texture to russet potatoes.