Five year-old Lucy names new potato variety

12 August 2008

The competition, organised by Branston, was part of the Celebration of Food and Farmers held recently at the Eden Project. Children were invited to suggest a name for a new potato variety based on a traditional Peruvian species. The new potato is the result of several years of collaboration between Branston and the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI). Previously known only as 00.H.14 A3, the potato will now, thanks to Lucy, be taken forward to National Listing with the proposed name of 'Inca Bella'.

Andrew Ormerod, Economic Botany Researcher at the Eden Project, gave Lucy a range of books from the Eden Project and Ian Wait, General Manager of Branston South West (pictured with Lucy) presented a £50 WH Smith voucher along with a specially-commissioned badge and certificate to remind Lucy of her special day.

With one of over 500 entries to propose a name, Lucy said: "I'm really excited about winning. I think the new potato is very pretty and I like the name Bella."

David Nelson, Branston's Field Director, commented: "We were delighted with the response to our competition and were amazed at the different names the children came up with. However, Lucy's suggestion struck a chord and we had no hesitation in announcing her as our winner.

We've been working with Mylnefield Research Services Ltd, the commercial area of SCRI, since 1999 on breeding and selection programmes to harness the best characteristics of the native Peruvian Solanum phureja species. This potato is the first of a number of varieties that we are taking foward to National Listing this year. Now that the first one has a proposed name, we hope to follow on and develop names that are suitable for the rest of our new varieties. We are planning to have our new range ready and available for consumers in a couple of years time."

The Solanum phureja species generally has a stronger flavour and a firmer texture than the cultivated potato species Solanum tuberosum. The new Inca Bella variety has a creamy-yellow flesh and distinctive pinky skin colouration. With it's excellent flavour and smooth texture, Inca Bella will be a multi-purpose type of potato, ideal for salads and roasting.