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Potatoes 'Bleue de la Manche' / 'Bleue d'Artois' / 'Violi

Potatoes 'Bleue de la Manche' / 'Bleue d'Artois' / 'Violi

Potatoes 'Bleue de la Manche' / 'Bleue d'Artois' / 'Violi

Product number: 408854.1
Origin: Europe, France
Latin: Solanum tuberosum

(around 1900) Oval-round tubers with purple skin and purple flesh, which remains purple even after cooking and frying. A light band just under the skin is typical.
This old variety never made it onto the official variety list, but was quite well-known in France, especially at the beginning of the 20th century, among home growers in the departments of Artois, Manche, Orne, Calvados, and Eure. Around 1950, the variety was threatened with complete disappearance. Eating purple potatoes was not considered chic; let the pigs eat them... Thanks to the efforts of the gardens of Saint-Pierre-sur-Dives and the Cotentin farm museum in Sainte-Mère Eglise, the variety is now back on the plate! The irony is that what disappeared due to disinterest is now highly sought after by Norman restaurants. We will certainly also make an effort to ensure lasting recognition for this scarce variety.

BLACK- OR PURPLE-SKINNED VARIETY FOR GOURMETS.
Black potatoes form an unknown group in our assortment. The skin is deep purple to almost black and the flesh is purple, mottled, or white. To preserve the surprising effect of the color, we recommend not peeling the tubers but washing them before cooking. Plant from mid-April, when the soil is warm enough. Pre-sprouting in light or in a large pot can be done earlier. Do not plant them in a place that is too wet, but in full sun. The average planting distance is 70x40 cm; we advise maintaining 80x40 cm to prevent diseases.

Names:
Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Aardappel 'Bleue de la Manche'
Also known as: 'Bleue d' Artois', 'Violine de Boree'
English: Potato 'Bleue de la Manche'

Planting time:

April
May

Soil type:

All soil types

Location:

Flower colour: White flowers with purple accents
Average growth height: 60 to 90 cm
Bulb / tuber size: 35/50
Attractive to insects: N/A
Annual or perennial: Perennial
Winter hardy: Moderately frost hardy
Origin: Europe, France
Ease of cultivation: Moderate

Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Potato 'Bleue de la Manche'
Also known as: 'Bleue d'Artois', 'Violine de Boree'
English: Potato 'Bleue de la Manche'

“Potatoes aren't what they used to be…” Do you recognize that sigh? Perhaps you lived (and tasted!) more intensely back then, but when it comes to those old forgotten varieties, we have good news for you: they’re back, those spuds of yesteryear! Old varieties from before 1950 with special flavours, unique colours, unfamiliar shapes. How wonderful it would be if all those historical varieties were available on a special shelf at the greengrocer... but for now, you'll have to grow them yourself (or have them grown) for this "new" culinary exploration. A quick culinary tip: because of their unique colour or shape, don't peel them, but clean them thoroughly and cook them whole; often, the colour is retained after cooking, and presentation matters, doesn't it? In the English tradition, harvested potatoes are neatly cleaned and displayed in baskets. You could further develop this harvest presentation with unusual cucumbers, multicoloured chard, pumpkins, red kale, blue corn: browse our seed guides for all those special (old but now trendy) vegetables. Potatoes that you have displayed for a while will slowly turn green and are then no longer edible. For the grower, it’s important to know that these old varieties are more susceptible to disease: plant them with ample space and keep a close eye on them. A fun tip: just plant at least 5 varieties; they are packaged in small portions (1 kg), and place a clear sign next to each type. Cook and evaluate them separately, make it a "Van Gogh Potato Eaters Feast"... Do you know a "forgotten" variety: let us know. All that remains is to wish you a very good harvest and (for later): enjoy your meal!