A potato heart refers to two distinct internal defects in potatoes: brown heart (also called incipient hollow heart or sugar center) and hollow heart.
Here's a breakdown:
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Brown Heart (Incipient Hollow Heart/Sugar Center): This condition is characterized by cell death in the pith (center) of the potato tuber, resulting in brown discolored tissue.
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Hollow Heart: This is a more severe condition where a star- or lens-shaped cavity forms in the center of the potato.
Essentially, both conditions affect the internal quality of the potato, making it less marketable and potentially affecting its cooking characteristics. Brown heart is an earlier stage of the issue that can progress to hollow heart.
