Asterix Potato Supplier

Quick Overview

Asterix is a premium red-skinned potato variety renowned for its exceptional versatility and reliable performance in both commercial and home kitchens. Developed primarily for processing yet equally valued for table use, this variety features attractive oval tubers with deep red skin and bright yellow flesh that retains its color during cooking. Known for its excellent resistance to bruising and mechanical damage, Asterix maintains quality throughout harvesting, transport, and storage processes. The variety’s balanced starch content makes it suitable for a wide range of culinary applications from roasting to boiling. Grown extensively across Europe and beyond, Asterix has become a favorite among farmers for its consistent yields and among chefs for its reliable cooking performance.

Origin & History

The Asterix potato was developed in the Netherlands during the 1990s by HZPC Holland B.V., one of Europe’s leading potato breeding companies. It was created through careful cross-breeding to combine the best traits of processing potatoes with the culinary qualities of table varieties. Named after the famous Gaulish warrior comic character, this variety was bred to be tough (resistant to common diseases) while maintaining excellent taste qualities. The variety gained EU Plant Variety Rights in 1998 and quickly became popular across Northern Europe. Today, Asterix is grown commercially in over 30 countries, with major production in the Netherlands, France, and Germany, proving its adaptability to different growing conditions.

Specifications

Asterix potatoes typically contain 13-17% starch content, placing them in the medium-starch category suitable for multiple uses. The tubers are medium to large in size (80-180g), with an oval to oblong shape and shallow eyes for minimal peeling waste. They feature distinctive deep red skin with a smooth texture and vibrant yellow flesh that resists discoloration. The plants have a medium-long growing season of 100-110 days and show good resistance to common scab and potato virus Y. Asterix maintains excellent quality in storage, with tubers showing low reducing sugar accumulation, making them ideal for long-term storage without compromising fry color.

Key Characteristics

1. Dual-Purpose Versatility: Performs equally well for processing and fresh market use due to balanced starch content.
2. Superior Skin Quality: Thick red skin resists damage during harvest and handling while adding visual appeal.
3. Culinary Performance: Yellow flesh maintains texture when boiled and develops excellent flavor when roasted.
4. Disease Resistance: Shows strong resistance to common scab, PVY, and moderate resistance to late blight.
5. Storage Stability: Maintains low sugar levels during storage, preventing unwanted browning in processed products.

Best Uses

Asterix is considered an all-around premium table potato that also performs well for specific processing applications. Its medium starch content makes it particularly good for roasting, boiling, and steaming, as it holds its shape while developing a creamy texture. While not the first choice for standard potato chips, it produces excellent quality kettle-style chips and is frequently used for pre-made potato products like gratins. Many professional kitchens prefer Asterix for its consistent performance in all cooking methods and attractive presentation on the plate. Some processors use it for French fries when harvested at optimal maturity, though it’s not a primary fry-processing variety. Ultimately, Asterix shines as a versatile, high-quality potato equally suited for home cooking, restaurant use, and specialty processed products.