Photo shows Beijing citizens choosing steamed bread made of potato flour in a supermarket. (Photo/bjnews.com.cn)
The first batch of steam bread made of potato flour has hit Beijing markets, Beijing News reports.
After two years' of research and experiment, experts at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have developed a technique for producing steamed bread using 30 percent of potato flour.
The success of producing steamed bread with potato flour comes after around 12,000 failed attempts during the trial period.
The potato steamed bread now sells at around 2 yuan each, twice the price of steamed bread made with wheat.
Producers expect to promote the sales in Beijing and its neighboring cities from this September.
The research team is also working on developing other types of staple food items and snacks made with potato flour.
The successful production of potato steamed bread marks the first step towards elevating potato to become the fourth staple food in China, after rice, wheat and corn.
China's Ministry of Agriculture released the plan earlier this year that by 2020, 50 percent of the annual production of potatoes will be used for domestic consumption as a staple food.
