Sokrates Potato Supplier

Quick Overview

Sokrates is a versatile, high-yielding potato variety prized for its balanced starch content and excellent culinary qualities, making it suitable for both processing and fresh market use. This variety features oval to round tubers with smooth, yellow skin and light yellow flesh, offering an attractive appearance for consumers and chefs alike. Known for its reliable performance in various growing conditions, Sokrates adapts well to different soil types and climates, making it a favorite among farmers across Europe. Its moderate starch content provides a pleasant texture that works well for boiling, baking, and light frying, though it is not ideal for industrial chip production. With good resistance to common diseases and strong storability, Sokrates remains a dependable choice for both commercial growers and home gardeners.

Origin & History

Sokrates was developed in Germany in the late 1990s as part of a breeding program aimed at creating a multipurpose potato with strong disease resistance and stable yields. It was introduced to meet the growing demand for a table potato that could also be used in light processing applications, bridging the gap between waxy and floury varieties. Named after the Greek philosopher, Sokrates was chosen to reflect its “wise” balance of flavor, texture, and agronomic performance. Over the years, it gained popularity in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and the Czech Republic, where it became a staple for household and restaurant use. Today, Sokrates continues to be valued for its adaptability and consistent quality in both small-scale and large-scale farming operations.

Specifications

Sokrates potatoes typically have a medium starch content (13–16%), placing them in the all-purpose category with a slightly firm yet creamy texture when cooked. The tubers are medium to large in size, weighing between 100–200 grams, with an oval to round shape and shallow eyes for minimal peeling waste. The skin is smooth and yellow, while the flesh is pale yellow, retaining its color after boiling or steaming. This variety has a medium growing season (90–110 days) and performs best in well-drained, fertile soils with moderate irrigation. Sokrates shows good resistance to common scab and moderate tolerance to late blight, though it requires proper crop rotation to maintain soil health.

Key Characteristics

1. Balanced Starch Content: Offers a versatile texture—firm enough for salads but creamy when mashed or baked.
2. Excellent Culinary Performance: Holds its shape well when boiled, making it ideal for potato salads and stews.
3. Attractive Appearance: Smooth yellow skin and uniform shape enhance marketability for fresh sales.
4. Strong Disease Resistance: Demonstrates good tolerance to common scab and partial resistance to late blight.
5. Good Storage Stability: Maintains quality for several months under proper cold storage conditions (4–6°C).

Best Uses

Sokrates is best classified as an all-around table potato, excelling in boiling, roasting, and light frying applications. Its moderate starch content makes it a great choice for homemade potato dishes, including salads, gratins, and oven-roasted potatoes. While it can be used for thicker-cut fries or rustic chips, it lacks the high starch content required for industrial crisp production. Some processors use Sokrates for pre-packaged boiled or steamed potatoes due to its shape retention. However, it is not suitable for starch extraction or ultra-thin snack chips, as its dry matter content is lower than specialized processing varieties.

Supply Availability

We are proud to offer Sokrates potatoes to markets seeking a reliable, multipurpose variety for both fresh and light processing needs. If local climate conditions permit, we cultivate Sokrates on our own farms using sustainable practices to ensure premium quality. Additionally, we maintain strong partnerships with trusted growers across Europe, allowing us to source high-grade Sokrates potatoes year-round. Our flexible supply chain ensures consistent availability, whether for retail, food service, or specialty buyers.