What are potatoes shy about: why do they turn pink when peeled?
Potatoes are one of the staple foods in our diet. This vegetable is accessible and versatile. Potatoes are a hearty product that can be used to prepare many dishes. However, even now some housewives do not know why it changes after cleaning. Let's figure out what color cut potatoes are painted and why.
How do potatoes react to peeling and why?
Typically, when the peel is removed, the vegetable will darken or turn pink within minutes. Such a change is normal, it means that oxidation processes are taking place. The degree of color development depends on the duration of contact with air. The longer the product stays in this state, the more it will change in appearance.
It also happens that the peeled vegetable turns pink or red. It depends on the:
- Potato structures. The color of the vegetable may vary in different regions.
- Varieties. This distinctive feature is characteristic, for example, of Red Wonder potatoes.
Red Wonder - The land on which the vegetable is grown. If there is a deficiency or excess of any substances in the soil, the potatoes change color.
Reddening of potatoes occurs when the amino acid tyrosine is oxidized under the influence of oxygen.
Breeders have developed varieties with a low starch content, but the presence of many vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants. Some of them have genes that block browning enzymes.This made the preparation of semi-finished potato products technologically simpler.
Why do potatoes turn pink and red?
Oxidative processes are the only reason why potatoes turn pink when peeled. There is nothing hazardous to health in this.
On a slice in a cut form
Red and pink spots may indicate variety, region, and growing conditions. They are not considered an indicator of any disease.
This phenomenon occurs in early ripening varieties or those grown in northern latitudes, under cool climate conditions.
What could this mean?
Tubers contain polyphenol compounds, which begin to oxidize when interacting with oxygen. A long chain of chemical reactions starts. It occurs because phenolic substances are contained in cell sap, and enzymes are contained in the cytoplasm. In a normal state, they do not interact with each other and are isolated from each other.
When you peel potatoes, you mechanically destroy the partition that separates enzymes from phenolic substances. This causes them to mix. The resulting mixture forms dark-colored compounds when exposed to air.
When frying, the same processes occur. In addition, under the influence of temperature, a reaction is triggered between iron and chlorogenic acid contained in tubers.
This is interesting:
Mid-early potato variety "Rodriga" with large pink tubers
Mid-season potato variety Ryabinushka with pinkish skin color
Could redness on the cut mean that the potato is infected?
An infected vegetable usually changes color to dark. Red spots do not serve as an indicator of disease.
Why do potatoes turn red when cut?
- excess iron and aluminum in the soil;
- deficiency of phosphorus and potassium;
- insufficient watering of tubers in dry summers;
- individual characteristics of a particular variety.
None of the reasons pose a health hazard and only affect taste.
Is it dangerous to eat potatoes that have turned pink after peeling?
If the potato turns red when cut after removing the skin, it is not dangerous to eat. Darkening is usually an indicator of disease.
Brown and dark spots indicate ring rot, late blight, fusarium, etc., pink spots - never. However, if for some reason you are not happy with this shade, there are ways to prevent the color from changing.
Useful tips
In order for potatoes to retain their natural color, it is necessary to create an acidic environment in the container where they will be cooked. It may also happen that the change in shade is affected by excess nitrogen in the soil. It accumulates inside the tubers, the excess is removed under the skin. To avoid pinking or darkening of the product, it is recommended to soak it in water. 2-4 hours are enough for this.
There are the following ways to preserve potatoes in their original form:
- Place the tubers, which have been previously cleaned and thoroughly washed, in a plastic bag, tie it and put it in the refrigerator. When exposed to low temperatures, the oxidation reaction will slow down. This method will avoid color changes during the day. It is much easier to preserve whole tubers rather than slices. Therefore, it is not recommended to pre-cut the potatoes.
- If the tubers are already peeled, they are blanched. This method involves immersion in boiling water for 3-4 minutes. Tyrosinase is destroyed under the influence of high temperatures, therefore, the tubers remain light and do not turn pink for 2 days.
- The most effective way to keep cut potatoes fresh is to freeze them. Tubers are stored in the freezer for 1-2 weeks. This will preserve the taste and nutritional value.
This is interesting:
What are the advantages of manual potato peelers?
For which plants can potato peelings be used as fertilizer?
What to do if potatoes burst and crack in the ground, why does this happen?
Conclusion
Peeled potatoes turn red for natural reasons. A change in color on the cut indicates the variety of the vegetable, such as Red Wonder. If the tubers turn pink when peeled, this means that natural oxidative processes from interaction with air have begun. In any of these cases, you can enjoy the product without any threat to your health.