Supermarket spuds

[keef]

Just had some (what were labelled) Desiree spuds from Waitrose, roasted with my tea. Now i've grown Desiree for the last 6 years (from when i started on my allotment). My dad has grown them for 25+ years, hence i've been eating them for years.. What i had tonight was not Desiree - kind of watery waxey (rubbish at soaking up gravey) a little bit sweet and they did'nt crisp up like normal either.

This is'nt the first time i've noticed this - somtimes Maris Piper are a bit dodgy too, but i dont grow them often so did'nt feel qualified to moan too much..

I suppose as far as the normal punter is concerned they are red, desiree are red so whats the difference....

>:(

[keef]

[leiden64]

Not sure about this particular type of spud, but I notice that often supermarket spuds (and the ones at our greengrocers) taste weird at this time of year, kinda sweet, and the texture isn't the same. I heard it was something to do with the way that they were stored and if they weren't stored correctly the starch in them starts to turn to sugars. Unfortunately we never manage to grow enough spuds to try storing them (and they're usally struck by blight anyway), so I've never experienced this with my own crops.

[morton]

This report gives an insight into the mis-labelling of potatoes by supermarkets. Its a bit heavy but worth the read.
www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/fsis4503full.pdf

[manicscousers]

I don't think you can taste a real spud unless you can grow some  :)

[cambourne7]

might have a lot 2 do with how the foods stored if its been put in cold storage it might have affected them

[Jeannine]

I totally agree with this, I have never  been able to find a floury potato in the 7 years I have been here,no matter what time of the year, and the only ones that are any good for baking our floury ones. I know potato varieties and they don't seem to match what I know..weird.

I wish I could get Burbank russetts

XX Jeannine

[Tin Shed]

Jeanine - try Rooster. I bought some in my local Somerfields, down to half price[!] and they are really , really good for mash and roasting. So good that I plan to grow some this year - and I don't usually bother with growing any main crop potatoes.

[Rob the rake]

I totally agree with this, I have never  been able to find a floury potato in the 7 years I have been here,no matter what time of the year, and the only ones that are any good for baking our floury ones. I know potato varieties and they don't seem to match what I know..weird.

I wish I could get Burbank russetts

XX Jeannine

Yukon Gold and valor are great bakers, Jeannine. Massive yields from Valor, too.

[Froglegs]

Jeanine - try Rooster. I bought some in my local Somerfields, down to half price[!] and they are really , really good for mash and roasting. So good that I plan to grow some this year - and I don't usually bother with growing any main crop potatoes.

Me and you both the best spud tasted I've for a long time.

[Jeannine]

I have tried Yukon Gold(love this one for some things) and Valor but still not floury enough to be a baker  for me.

Rooster I don't know.I will look for them.

I find most potatoes sold as bakers are just big, I want one that is big, and very very fluffy. We have stopped eating bakers as they seem so poor.

Thank you both,

XX Jeannine

[littlebabybird]

Jeannine
Burbank russetts must be around here some where because Mcdonalds use them for their chips

[littlebabybird]

Jeannine
I have never used these people but you can get your Burbank russetts here :)
good luck with them if you do go for it

http://www.dundrynurseries.co.uk/detail.asp?id=236

[keef]

I have tried Yukon Gold(love this one for some things) and Valor but still not floury enough to be a baker  for me.

Rooster I don't know.I will look for them.

I find most potatoes sold as bakers are just big, I want one that is big, and very very fluffy. We have stopped eating bakers as they seem so poor.

Thank you both,

XX Jeannine

Roosters are good - there not normaly in supermarket own brand packaging which is unusual for spuds. Bartlet is the the company name on the bag i think...

Own growns are imeasurably better - but i ran out ages ago due the bad weather last summer. Cara are the best bakers IMO.

Edit -

here you go..

http://www.albert-bartlett.co.uk/rooster.aspx

[tim]

Thanks for that! Been trying to find Roosters for ages. Now can enjoy them again & have a few to plant for seed.

[manicscousers]

don't know if they've still got any, wilkies were selling rooster seed potatoes, 10 tubers, quite big, for 1.90  :)

[Barnowl]

I'm trying Winston this year - meant to be one of the earliest bakers. I'll let you know how I get on........

[Multiveg]

I'm trying Winston this year - meant to be one of the earliest bakers. I'll let you know how I get on........

They are very tasty.

One of the comments from that survey - never heard of Premiere! Tis a first early, quite tasty.

[Jeannine]

Russets were not available here for the first few years I returned then they were experimental, again I was hoping they would reappear but there was some trouble with them??

I have tried the link but no prices, however if they have them now others probably do too.


I think the reference to the Macs French fries means in America.

XX Jeannine

[plotholder]

Anybody tried Estima, very good spud for baking,mashing, and chipping

[littlebabybird]

I think the reference to the Macs French fries means in America.

In the UK, French Fries are made exclusively from the Russett Burbank, Shepody and Pentland Dell potatoes, specially selected for their long shape.

quoted from mcdonalds q&a
middle child did a project on mcdonalds in november