• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Lifestyle
Not only are potatoes delicious and versatile but they are also good for your health.

We are cray cray about potatoes – and it’s a good thing!

13th Feb 2020
This week on the Farmer’s Inside Track Weekend Edition, we take a closer look at the Master Plan for the Commercial Forestry Sector in South Africa. We’re joined by the executive director of Forestry South Africa, Michael Peter paints an intriguing picture.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

3rd Jul 2022
The war on plant-based foods has erupted in South Africa. Photo: LikeMeat/Unsplash

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

2nd Jul 2022
What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

1st Jul 2022
Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

1st Jul 2022
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022
Research has revealed that less than three in 10 farmers in the upper parts of Africa use technology. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Technology not a priority for Africa’s smallholder farmers

30th Jun 2022
The Mamahlola Communal Property Association was among the first to be established in 2000, but due to underinvestment, their land soon turned into a symbol of government’s land restoration failure. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

30th Jun 2022
Langeberg & Ashton Foods provides employment for around 250 permanent and 4 300 seasonal staff. Photo: Supplied

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

30th Jun 2022
Michele Carelse, founder, and CEO of Feelgood Health, Aquaponics horticulturalist, PJ Phiri Gwengo, Dr Didi Claassen, Afrivets executive for technical and marketing support, and Sibusiso Xaba, co-founder and CEO of Africa Cannabis Advisory Group. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Podcast: Learn the basics of growing microgreens

29th Jun 2022
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
11 GLOBAL MEDIA AWARDS
Sun, Jul 3, 2022
Food For Mzansi
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
    • All
    • AgriCareers
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Farmers
    • Groundbreakers
    • Innovators
    • Inspiration
    • It Takes a Village
    • Mentors
    • Movers and Shakers
    • Partnerships
    Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

    Reggie Kambule from Villiers in the Free State runs a 185 hectare farm where he breeds livestock and cultivates maize. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Engineer-turned farmer takes pride in good results

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Agripreneur 101: Sweet success for jam producer

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    Real Housewife turns passion for wine into a business

    David Mthombeni is building an agriculture empire for his family.Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Farmer gets his hands dirty while building family empire

    Gauteng farmers give youth a leg-up in agriculture

    Women in farming give youth a leg up in agriculture

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Watch out, these young farmers are on fire!

    Unati Speirs has vast experience in agri-business strategy and business funding and was recently appointed as a new board director for Hortgro. Photos: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

    Youngest Hortgro hotshot takes transformation to heart

    Prof Kennedy Mnisi a dedicated young man who wants to help livestock farmers with animal health education to prevent diseases. Picture. Supplied/ Food For Mzansi.

    Animal scientist works hard to earn top dog status

  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought
No Result
View All Result
Food For Mzansi

We are cray cray about potatoes – and it’s a good thing!

by Dawn Noemdoe
13th Feb 2020
in Food & Health, Lifestyle
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Not only are potatoes delicious and versatile but they are also good for your health.

Not only are potatoes delicious and versatile, but they are also good for your health.

South Africans love potatoes. Fact. Potato salad is the archetypal side-dish for braais. Our fish-and-chips shops would be nothing without “slaptjips”, slathered with salt and vinegar, and wrapped in thick paper. Apart from being a staple food, these humble tubers have also found their way into fine dining.

In fact, it seems the rest of the world is equally cray cray about a good tattie. More than a billion people worldwide eat potatoes, which come in different shapes, sizes and colours. Most people don’t even notice the difference, but in South African homes you’ll find three types of potatoes: waxy, waxy-floury and floury. Understanding which type works best for a dish on tonight’s menu may become a bit tricky if you’re not clued up.

THE LOW-DOWN ON THESE SPUDS

ADVERTISEMENT

Waxy potatoes have a high moisture and low starch content. If you’re considering boiling, this spud will stay firm and keep its shape. It is ideal for any dish where you don’t want the potato to break up, such as a potato salad. These taters are not suitable for cooking in a microwave or mashing, but if you love lekka “slaptjips” it’s perfect.

The waxy-floury potato – weirdly enough, also known as the Bianca – is somewhat moist with a slightly floury feel. When cooking this tuber it will hold its form and can be used for all cooking methods. These murphys are commonly available in stores.

Floury potatoes have a low moisture content and a high starch content. If you love a warm buttery mash these taters are faultless because they do not retain their shape when boiled. This potato is also most likely to sing, “I want to be a Simba chippie” because they work best for crisps and roast potatoes. Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside.

Baked, fried, mashed or boiled, potatoes all day, every day. This, however, gets “complicated” when you need to consider the nutritional value, health benefits or if it’s just going to sit on your hips.

According to the 11 Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) of South Africa, we are advised to make starchy foods the basis of most meals and it’s hard to beat the potato. Approximately 100 grams of boiled, fresh potato with its skin provides as much as 354 kilojoules of energy. Keeping all of this in mind definitely makes meal times with the family a lot easier when you have countless recipes to choose from.

POTATOES ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

According to Potatoes SA potatoes can actually improve your heart health. A potato’s fibre, vitamin C, vitamin B6 content, potassium, coupled with its lack of cholesterol all support heart health.

Furthermore, potatoes contain more potassium than any other vegetable. There’s also new evidence that these spuds might actually help reduce inflammation and constipation, plus it boasts several minerals and plant compounds that may help lower your blood pressure.

* For interesting recipes and creative ways to get those spuds to work for you check out potatonation.co.za

ADVERTISEMENT

Potatoes SA is a Food For Mzansi partner. Our work is supported by the contributions of our partners, who have no right of control over editorial content. Read more on our Partners page. 

Tags: fish and chipsfloury potatoesmashed potatoespotato recipesPotato SApotato saladpotato typesslaptjipswaxy potatoeswaxy-floury potatoes
Previous Post

Don’t confuse ‘cotton gin’ with your fave booze

Next Post

How a former hairstylist became a leader in agriculture

Dawn Noemdoe

Dawn Noemdoe

DAWN NOEMDOE is a journalist and content producer who cut her teeth in community radio. She brings a natural curiosity instinctively dedicated to truth telling. Persistent and nurturing a strong sense of commitment, Dawn’s heart for equality drives her work, also as Food For Mzansi’s Project Editor.

Related Posts

No Content Available
Next Post
Preline Swart is the co-owner and office manager of Swart Boerdery.

How a former hairstylist became a leader in agriculture

Leave your comfort zone and make money, says foodie
Catering Company

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

by Vateka Halile
1st Jul 2022
0

MZANSI FLAVOUR: With a hustle and a bustle, Eastern Cape foodie Vuyelwa Makile found ways to alleviate her financial stress....

Read more
Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

1st Jul 2022
Experts have warned farmers to prepare for another steep fuel price increase this month. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

1st Jul 2022
Parts of the Western Cape, such as the Central Karoo, are still experiencing drought. Photo: Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Drought-burdened farmers receive R48m. in fodder

1st Jul 2022
Through his company, Iboyana agri farming, Mhlengi Ngcobo is changing the lives of youth and women in his community. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi

Self-taught farmer doing his bit for the greater good

30th Jun 2022

Rural Safety Summit ‘will fail without action plan’

The poverty-fighting tool that’s not fighting poverty

ICYMI: Historic kickstart for Engcobo livestock economy

Beef up your understanding of SA’s red meat industry

Lack of legislative support threatens SA’s food security

ICYMI: Search for fruit factory buyer continues

THE NEW FACE OF SOUTH AFRICAN AGRICULTURE

With 11 global awards in the first three years of its existence, Food For Mzansi is much more than an agriculture publication. It is a movement, unashamedly saluting the unsung heroes of South African agriculture. We believe in the power of agriculture to promote nation building and social cohesion by telling stories that are often overlooked by broader society.

SA forestry: Dynamite on a small patch of land

War on veggie meat names ‘to protect consumers’

What to look for when formulating dairy cow rations

Leave your comfort zone and start hustling, says foodie

Recipe: Make Makile’s crispy chicken wings

Caught in a price spiral: Farmers brace for major losses

  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824
WhatsApp line: +27 81 889 9032
Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: info@foodformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Changemakers
  • Lifestyle
  • Farmer’s Inside Track
  • Food for Thought

Copyright © 2021 Food for Mzansi

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
Go to mobile version