Fontane Potato Supplier

Quick Overview

Fontane is a premium, high-yielding potato variety that has become a gold standard for potato chip production across Europe and North America. Developed specifically for processing, this versatile variety offers the perfect balance of starch content, sugar levels, and tuber uniformity required for premium snack foods. The oblong tubers feature smooth yellow skin and light yellow flesh that maintains its color exceptionally well during frying and cooking processes. With its consistent performance in both field and factory, Fontane has become one of the most economically important processing potatoes globally. Its adaptability to various growing conditions and reliable disease resistance make it a favorite among commercial growers and processors alike.

Origin & History

Fontane was developed in the Netherlands during the late 1990s by the renowned potato breeding company Agrico Research. It was specifically bred to meet the growing global demand for high-quality chipping potatoes with excellent fry color and low sugar accumulation. The variety was named after the famous German poet Theodor Fontane, reflecting its European heritage and premium quality status. After extensive trials, Fontane quickly gained popularity in the early 2000s for its exceptional processing qualities and field performance. Today, it holds Plant Breeders’ Rights in multiple countries and has become one of the most widely planted chipping varieties worldwide, particularly dominating markets in the UK, Germany, and North America.

Specifications

Fontane potatoes typically contain 18-21% starch content, placing them in the ideal range for chip processing while maintaining good table quality. The tubers are medium to large in size (80-150mm length), with an attractive oblong shape that minimizes waste during mechanical peeling and slicing. The smooth yellow skin has shallow eyes, and the light yellow flesh maintains its color exceptionally well after cooking and processing. Fontane requires a growing season of approximately 120-140 days and performs best in light, well-drained soils with consistent moisture availability. The variety shows good resistance to common scab and moderate resistance to late blight, though it requires careful nitrogen management to optimize tuber size and quality.

Key Characteristics

1. Perfect for Chips: Fontane’s ideal starch-sugar balance ensures golden fry color and crisp texture without excessive browning.
2. Uniform Shape: The oblong, regular-shaped tubers allow for efficient mechanical processing with minimal waste.
3. Color Retention: The light yellow flesh maintains its appealing color after frying, boiling, or other cooking methods.
4. Field Performance: High yielding with good resistance to common diseases and stress factors that affect fry quality.
5. Storage Stability: Maintains processing quality in long-term storage when kept at proper temperatures (7-9°C).

Best Uses

Fontane is primarily and exceptionally used for potato chip production, making it one of the most sought-after varieties by major snack food manufacturers globally. Its perfect balance of starch (18-21%) and low reducing sugars ensures consistently golden, crispy chips with excellent flavor. While mainly a processing variety, Fontane also performs well for French fries and can be used for boiling and baking, though it’s not ideal for fluffy mashed potatoes. Some premium restaurants value Fontane for its uniform size and shape when preparing roasted or fried potato dishes. The variety is generally not used for starch production, as its qualities are specifically optimized for the snack food industry rather than industrial starch extraction.