Raw Sweet Potato

The Journey of a Raw Sweet Potato from Farm to Plate

The raw sweet potato is a nutritious and delicious root vegetable which is found in meals around the world. It has a distinct, sweet flavor and a firm, slightly starchy texture when cooked. In this blog post we'll take you through a detailed journey of the raw sweet potato, from farm to plate. We'll look at the farming process and the harvesting of the potato, its shipping and transportation, the packaging and warehousing, and finally its arrival on your dinner plate.

Farming the Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are warm season plants and are typically planted in temperate regions during late spring. When broken into pieces, each piece can produce a new sweet potato plant. Before sowing, the soil must be tilled and prepared to ensure it is loose and fertile. Before sowing the pieces of potato onto the soil, farmers must ensure there are two inches between each piece to allow for adequate space for the root system to expand. This process of planting sweet potatoes is also known as “hilling.”

Once the sweet potatoes are sown, the plants need to stay warm and moist. Frequent watering is necessary to ensure the developing roots and tubers remain healthy. After 8-10 weeks, the vines become noticeably dry which indicates the potato is ready to harvest. Farmers then use a combination of hoes, spades, and other hand tools to unearth the sweet potatoes.

Harvesting the Sweet Potato

When the sweet potatoes have been unearthed, they must then be sorted according to size. The smaller and more uniform the potatoes, the better their taste and texture when cooked. If a potato is too big, it will be difficult to cook it evenly. Care must also be taken to separate potatoes that are damaged, such as through frost or disease, from the healthy sweet potatoes.

After the potatoes are sorted, they must be cured. During this process, the sweet potatoes are left to heal for 10-14 days in a warm, humid environment. This helps reduce any bruising or injuries which may have occurred during the harvesting process. After curing, the sweet potatoes can then be graded according to size - typically small, medium, large, and jumbo - and are placed in a light cloth bag to keep them insulated.

Shipping and Transportation

Once the sweet potatoes have been sorted, they can be shipped and transported to their ultimate destination. Sweet potatoes are typically shipped in climate-controlled, refrigerated trucks in order to keep them at the optimal humidity and temperature. This helps prevent the sweet potatoes from spoiling during the long transport.

When the sweet potatoes reach their destination, they must then be inspected, sorted, and stored. Inspectors use a combination of visual checks, refractometers, and electronic sorting machines to identify any sweet potatoes which are defective and must be discarded. The potatoes that pass the quality check will then be sorted into various sections according to their size, flavor, and texture.

Packaging and Warehousing

Once the sweet potatoes have been sorted and inspected, they can then be packaged and stored in a climate-controlled warehouse. The temperature and humidity levels of the warehouse must be carefully monitored to ensure the potatoes do not spoil. Packaging plays an important role in keeping the sweet potatoes fresh, as different types of packaging materials can help extend the shelf life of the potato. Cardboard boxes and plastic bags are typically used to package the sweet potatoes.

The tiny air bubbles which are present in the plastic bags act as a cushion and help preserve the sweetness. The cardboard boxes, on the other hand, keep the potatoes safe during their journey to their final destination. Once the sweet potatoes have been given a quality seal, they are then ready to be shipped to retailers and restaurants.

Arrival On The Dinner Plate

When the sweet potatoes arrive at their final destination, they must then be prepped and cooked. This can involve peeling and cutting the potatoes, boiling or roasting them, and then mashing or pureeing the vegetables before serving. The sweet potato can then be incorporated into a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, curries, casseroles, and even desserts.

The final result of the long journey is a delicious and nutritious meal, which is enjoyed by people around the world. Sweet potatoes are a great source of fiber, vitamin A, and other essential vitamins and minerals. They can also help promote a healthy digestive system, improve heart health, and even boost the immune system.

Conclusion

As you can see, the journey of a raw sweet potato from farm to plate is quite extensive. From planting, harvesting, shipping, and packaging, the stage is then set for a delicious dish on your dinner plate. Not only is the sweet potato a nutritious food item, but it is also highly versatile and can be used in a variety of dishes.