Description

🍠 Sweet Potato Specifications – General Overview

1. Variety:

• Popular Indian Varieties:

  • Pusa Safed – White skin, creamy flesh.

  • Rajendra Shakarkand-5 – Pink skin, orange flesh.

  • Sree Bhadra / Sree Kanaka – Orange flesh, good for export due to high beta-carotene.

  • Local Red/Purple Skin Varieties – Preferred in some Asian and African markets.

2. Size & Weight:

• Shape: Oblong to spindle-shaped (tapered ends preferred).

• Size Grading (Length x Diameter):

  • Small: <100g

  • Medium: 100g – 250g

  • Large: 250g – 500g

  • Jumbo: >500g

• Export prefers medium to large, uniform-sized roots.

3. Color:

• Skin: Ranges from red, pink, purple to light brown depending on variety.

• Flesh: Creamy white, pale yellow, orange, or purple.

• Orange-fleshed sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene and widely accepted internationally.

4. Texture & Appearance:

• Smooth and clean skin.

• Firm, non-fibrous flesh.

• No surface cracks, cuts, insect damage, or sprouting.

5. Taste:

• Mildly sweet to very sweet depending on maturity and variety.

• High starch and sugar content when cooked.

6. Moisture & Dry Matter:

• Moisture content: ~70–75%

• Dry matter: ~25–30%

• Higher dry matter varieties are preferred for processing/export.

7. Packaging:

• Common export packs: 5 kg, 10 kg, or 20 kg mesh/jute or carton boxes.

• Lined with paper or padding for protection.

• Ventilated bags or cartons to prevent sweating and fungal growth.

• Labeling with:

  • Variety

  • Grade

  • Net weight

  • Country of origin

  • Lot/batch number

8. Shelf Life:

• At room temperature: 2–3 weeks if kept in cool, dry conditions.

• In cold storage (13°C – 15°C): Up to 3 months

9. Storage Conditions:

• Temperature: 13°C – 15°C

• Relative Humidity: 85% – 90%

• Curing before storage (4–5 days at ~30°C and 90–95% RH) improves shelf life and wound healing.

10. Nutritional Content (per 100g):

• Calories: ~86 kcal