Alouette Potato Supplier

Quick Overview

Alouette is a premium gourmet potato variety prized for its exceptional flavor profile and versatile culinary applications. This medium-starch potato features a distinctive yellow flesh with a smooth, buttery texture that holds its shape well during cooking. Developed for both professional chefs and home cooks, Alouette offers an ideal balance between waxy and floury characteristics. The tubers are typically medium-sized with uniform oval shapes and thin, golden skin that requires minimal peeling. Its excellent shelf life and resistance to bruising make it a favorite among growers and distributors alike in both European and North American markets.

Origin & History

Alouette was developed in France during the late 1990s through a specialized breeding program focused on gourmet potato varieties. It was created by crossing traditional European table potatoes with select South American cultivars to enhance its flavor and texture characteristics. The variety was named after the French word for “lark,” symbolizing its delicate yet distinctive qualities that elevate culinary preparations. After extensive trials, Alouette was officially introduced to commercial markets in 2003 and quickly gained popularity in high-end restaurants. Today, it’s particularly favored in French and Belgian cuisine, though its cultivation has expanded to other temperate regions worldwide with similar growing conditions.

Specifications

Alouette potatoes typically contain 14-17% starch content, placing them in the medium-starch category ideal for all-purpose cooking. The tubers average 100-180 grams in weight with a consistent oval shape and shallow eyes for minimal preparation waste. Their golden-yellow skin covers a dense, yellow flesh that maintains its color even after cooking. This variety requires 90-110 days to mature and performs best in well-drained, fertile soils with moderate irrigation. Alouette demonstrates good resistance to common scab and moderate tolerance to late blight, though it requires protection from potato virus Y (PVY).

Key Characteristics

1. Superior Flavor Profile: Offers a rich, nutty taste with buttery undertones that enhance gourmet dishes
2. Versatile Texture: Maintains structural integrity when boiled while developing a creamy consistency when mashed
3. Excellent Culinary Performance: Absorbs flavors well while retaining its own distinctive taste character
4. Attractive Appearance: The golden-yellow flesh provides visual appeal to plated dishes
5. Reliable Yield: Produces consistent, marketable tubers with good resistance to common defects
6. Extended Storage Potential: Maintains quality for up to 6 months under proper storage conditions

Best Uses

Alouette is primarily an all-around table potato excelling in nearly every culinary application except industrial processing. Its medium starch content makes it perfect for roasting, where it develops a crispy exterior and creamy interior, or for gratin dishes where it absorbs cream and cheese flavors beautifully. Chefs particularly value Alouette for potato salads as it holds its shape after cooking while offering superior taste. While not ideal for mass-produced chips due to its medium starch level, it makes exceptional artisanal chips or crisps when hand-cut and fried. The variety is not suitable for starch production but shines in haute cuisine applications from purees to sophisticated side dishes.