Out of all of the local produce on offer in Los Realejos, a special place is reserved for the Bonita potato (La Papa Bonita), an Andean variety that is cultivated at altitudes of 750m. Since 2010, 29 types of this potato have been granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as ancient Canary potatoes.
As Don José de Viera y Clavijo states in his celebrated work ‘The History of the Canary Islands’ (Historia de Canarias):
Four centuries later, thanks to the efforts of our farmers, it is still possible to enjoy the magnificent flavour of this valuable product in Icod el Alto, Palo Blanco and Las Llanadas. Several different varieties are grown here, many of which have disappeared from the other islands, such as: coloradas, blancas, llagadas, ojo de perdiz, negras and las azucenas blancas y negras. Many other varieties, while not commercially grown, remain important, such as: la colorada de baga, terrentas, pelucas, borrallas, etc.
The activities of our farmers ensure the conservation of these local varieties. The seeds are harvested and exchanged across the different areas of Tenerife, or planted in different types of soil or climatic conditions in the same area.
In Icod el Alto potatoes are dry seeded and cultivated using the rainfed method. As the crops are reliant on weather conditions, significant differences in production levels are seen from one year to the next.
Planting takes place in January and the cultivation cycle last between 5 to 6 months with harvesting taking place in July.
The production of this variety of potato requires much greater efforts than other commercial varieties due to the importance placed on phytosanitary products, organic composting, and the additional labour required in their cultivation.
Did you know…?
- You can find the largest variety of Bonita potatoes (Papas Bonitas) in all the Canary Islands right in the heart of Icod el Alto
