The Peruvian delicacy that transformed the North American potato market
In short: In the 1950s, a lab technician in Ontario set out to replicate a Peruvian delicacy. The result was a revolutionary yellow-fleshed potato that became a Canadian sensation, changing how produce is branded and sold to consumers everywhere.
The journey of the Yukon Gold potato began in 1953 when Garnet "Gary" Johnston, a lab technician at the Ontario Agriculture College, led a team to cross-breed new varieties. The inspiration came in 1959, when a graduate student from Peru introduced Johnston to the 'papa amarilla' (Spanish for "yellow potato"). This small, rough-skinned cultivar is a delicacy in Lima due to its distinct flavor and bright color. Johnston aimed to create a version that mirrored those Peruvian characteristics but possessed a larger size and smoother shape suitable for the markets of Southwestern Ontario.
The breeding process was a meticulous, decades-long endeavor. In 1966, the team performed their first cross between a 'Norgleam' potato from North Dakota and a specific strain (W5289-4) that was a double cross of 'Yema de huevo' and 'Katahdin'. After 66 crosses that same year, they produced a true-breeding seed known as G6666. The cultivar was eventually named 'Yukon'—referencing the Yukon River and the Klondike Gold Rush—with "Gold" added by Charlie Bishop or Walter Shy to describe its distinctive yellow-tinged flesh and brown-tinted skin.
Released to the market in 1980, Yukon Gold became a commercial powerhouse and was the first Canadian-bred variety to be marketed with its name prominently displayed on the packaging. While it remains popular for its resistance to bruising and good dormancy, it is not without challenges. The cultivar is susceptible to various issues, including blackleg, early and late blight, and several types of rot such as soft rot and silver scurf. Despite its success, sales in Canada saw a 30% decline between 2004 and 2014 as new varieties entered the market.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Yukon Gold potato
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