The composition of aerial and subterranean tubers of two potato genotypes cvs Desiree (red skin) and Epicure (white skin) was compared immediately after harvest using a range of analytical methods. Irrespective of genotype, aspartic acid, arginine, glycine, glutamic acid, histidine, leucine, serine, threonine and total amino acid concentrations were signiÐcantly higher (P \ 0É05) in aerial compared with subterranean tuber tissue. SigniÐcant increases (P \ 0É05) in valine in aerial tubers, but no signiÐcant di †erences in alanine, tyrosine and isoleucine, when compared with subterranean tubers of cv Desiree, were found. In cv Epicure, alanine, tyrosine and iso-leucine were signiÐcantly higher in aerial tubers (P \ 0É05) ; however, no signiÐcant di †erences in valine were recorded. There was no signiÐcant increases in lysine and phenylalanine between tuber types. Regardless of genotype a-solanine, a-chaconine, chlorogenic acid, chlorophyll and crude protein concentrations were signiÐcantly higher in aerial tubers compared with subterranean ones (P \ 0É01). No signiÐcant increases in total lipids between tuber types were found. In cv Desiree, ascorbic acid content was not signiÐcantly di †erent between aerial and subterranean tuber tissue, but in cv Epicure concentrations were signiÐcantly higher (P \ 0É01) in aerial tubers. Starch concentrations were signiÐcantly higher in subterranean tubers of both cultivars (P \ 0É05). Sugar content was signiÐcantly higher in aerial tubers of cv Epicure (P \ 0É01), but not signiÐcantly di †erent between aerial and subterranean tubers of cv Desiree. Regardless of genotype, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, zinc, manganese and sodium concentrations were signiÐcantly higher (P \ 0É05) in aerial tubers. Iron and copper concentrations were signiÐcantly higher in aerial tubers of cv Desiree (P \ 0É01), but signiÐcantly less in cv Epicure compared with subterranean tubers (P \ 0É01, P \ 0É05). Calcium concentrations were not signiÐcantly di †erent between aerial and subterranean tubers of cv Desiree, but signiÐcantly higher in aerial tuber tissue of cv Epicure (P \ 0É01). Total gross energy (mJ kg~1 FW) was higher in aerial tubers of cv Desiree compared with subterranean tubers (P [ 0É05), but not signiÐcantly different between aerial and subterranean tubers of cv Epicure. The potential applications of aerial tubers for industrial purposes are discussed.