Ipomoea Batata page

One of our rising stars of the moment is the IPOMOEA BATATA, better known as the sweet potato. The ipomoea batatas has been on the market for years but has become increasingly popular in the Netherlands in recent years. It is a fiber-rich vegetable that is being eaten more and more because it fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle.

Until recently, the Ipomoea batata could only be grown in countries with warm climates. But for a number of years now, in collaboration with a number of other Dutch growers, we have been working hard to produce the ipomoea batata locally.

But how do we do that? On this page, we hope to be able to give you a little more insight into this.

“It is a fiber-rich vegetable that is being eaten more and more because it fits perfectly into a healthy lifestyle.”

“The Ipomoea batata is grown in bio-foil, which we currently also use for the cultivation of chrysanthemums and asters.”

Cultivation of the ipomoea batata

The official name of the sweet potato is: Ipomoea Batata and is native to South and Central America. However, through various trade journeys, this product has been spread all over the world.

“Growing in the bio-foil keeps the soil temperature warmer and this has a positive effect on the cultivation.”

Because the ipomoea batata is originally a tropical vegetable, it is a challenge to grow the product in colder Western European countries. Yet we took up the challenge a few years ago! The Ipomoea batata is grown in bio-foil, which we currently also use for the cultivation of chrysanthemums and asters. Growing in the bio-foil keeps the soil temperature warmer and this has a positive effect on the cultivation. The result: fields full of heart-shaped leaves and pink-colored calyxes that provide a beautiful view. (For more information on this bio-foil, view the article Bio-foil on this website)

Different types of ipomoea batatas

There are several varieties under the ipomoea batata. We grow about 4 different types of cuttings, including; Beauregard, Bellevue, Covington, and Orleans. Each breed has its own unique characteristics that distinguish them from each other. We sell the fruits and cuttings of the Beauregard and Covington varieties. From the Bellevue and Orleans variety, we only sell their fruit.

Beauregard

The Beauregard is probably the most common and most popular ipomoea batata in the world. This sweet potato was developed in 1987 at Louisiana State University and was successful due to its uniformity. The Beauregard is also resistant to cracks, which means that it can be stored for a long time. Enough sun is important so that this sweet potato can optimally develop its sweet taste.

Peel Color: Light Pink
Flesh color: Deep orange

The fruits and briefs of the Beauregard variety are available.

Bellevue EU 51937

The Bellevue PBR is distinguished by its orange flesh and smooth copper skin. In addition, this Ipomoea batata has a superior root shape that has excellent storage properties. And this sweet potato is resistant to diseases. At harvest, however, the Bellevue is not as sweet, but baked, the sugar content is almost equal to the Beauregard ipomoea batata.

Skin Color: Copper
Flesh color: Fresh orange

Only the fruits of the Bellevue variety are available

Covington

The Covington was developed in the state of North Carolina in the United States. The Covington is similar to the Beauregard in many ways, including taste. However, the Covington is distinguished by its longer storage time and uniformity of the roots. The roots are not long and narrow but also not inclined to deform. In addition, the Covington is resistant to red-brown ipomoea batata virus and southern root-knot nematodes.

 Skin colour: Light pink
Flesh color: Fresh orange

The fruits and brieds of the Covington variety are available.

Orleans EU 51936

The Orleans ipomoea batata, just like the Covington variety, is very similar to the Beauregard sweet potato. What distinguishes the Orleans ipomoea batata from the Beauregard is the regularity of the root formation. This makes harvesting and processing this Ipomoea batata easier. The smooth light pink skin and the deep orange flesh are indistinguishable from Beauregard’s Ipomoea batata. Even the sugar content of the Orleans sweet potato is equal to that of the Beauregard after baking.

Skin colour: Light pink
Flesh color: Deep orange

Only the fruits of the Orleans variety are available.

“The Ipomoea batata is known for being healthy, and it is. It is very nutritious and contains many vitamins and fiber“

sweet patato soup

Also check out our sweet potato soup recipe on the news page.

In the kitchen

As mentioned before, the sweet potato is not a potato at all, but a vegetable. This vegetable is often eaten in Surinamese, American and Canadian cuisine.

But recently it has also become more common in the Netherlands and is becoming increasingly popular in Dutch cuisine.

The Ipomoea batata is known for being healthy, and it is. It is very nutritious and contains many vitamins and fiber. Just like the regular potato, it contains a lot of carbohydrates that are slow and complex carbohydrates. These are absorbed less quickly by the blood so that the blood sugar level remains fairly stable. This keeps you feeling full for longer, so you eat less. Because there is no peak in your blood sugar level, the sweet potato is also very suitable for diabetes patients.

Recipes

Have you ever tried the sweet potato soup recipe from our website? Or are you looking for some more inspiration for cooking with sweet potatoes? Below we have placed a number of links to websites with nice recipes:

Important tips

The ipomoea batatas are best kept in a dark, cool and well-ventilated place, at about 13°C. You can keep the sweet potato for at least ten days. However, NEVER keep them in the fridge, as this vegetable does not tolerate the cold well.

If you would like to know more about our Ipomoea batatas cultivation, watch the video about Ipomoea batatas cultivation on our video page. Or feel free to contact us! We would love to hear your ideas and are always open to new conversations.

We hope to have made you as enthusiastic about the sweet potato as we are working on it every day.


In addition, take a look at our CSR page and see how we contribute to local projects or are involved in sustainability.