Main potato blight resistant - latest thoughts?

[realfood]

As I promised, I have now done a taste test between Axona and Setanta, after microwaving them, therefore no water to dilute the taste.
They have a very similar floury texture and taste fairly similar. However, Axona has a very slight aftertaste which reminds me of a hint of sorrel, which is probably why some people may not like some of the Sarpo varieties. I find it perfectly acceptable. I would have thought that if you boil them, the water would leach out any after taste, as it does with any floury potatoes.

The taste of any potato depends on the method of cooking, as well as whether the eater is also a smoker. I have never smoked and will have more sensitive taste buds.

[realfood]

[pg]

Thank you for doing the taste test. This thread is turning into quite a database.

[Jayb]

Quite a bit of Late blight around again this year in my area:

I grew Sarpo Mira, surprisingly they suffered somewhat from L blight, foliage kept going but was affected. At harvest a few tuber losses but otherwise they looked good. Tastewise, I'm not keen on floury potatoes and the flavour is not great.

Toluco, good crop of tasty waxy type potatoes, Haulms were affected but withstood attack for a while, I gave in and cut the stems. When harvested I disposed of several tubers with the signs of blight, so far in storage no problems. I'll grow these again.

I read claims of L blight resistance for Tuskar (1st Early), however this was not my experience this year. Foliage was hit fairly quickly and a fair amount of tubers rotting in the ground, although the potatoes that were harvestable were of a good size. I doubt I'd buy these again although I've saved a couple of tubers to grow next spring.

Sarpo Kifli although I planted these quite late they went on to make really healthy plants, lots of beautiful flowers too (and some lovely seed pods formed when crossed with other varieties.) Kifli foliage shrugged off whatever blight strain/s hit my area really well, outlasting other varieties including S. Mira. I was pleasantly surprised they withstood so well. Tubers, a few rotted or looking iffy, probably a few more than S.Mira but considering the length of time blight spores were present, I think a good result. Biggest bonus, the potatoes are tasty and cook well.

I'm looking forward to growing Kifili again next year; I hope they can do as well again.

[darkbrowneggs]

Darkbrowneggs - great to see you are so interested in taste! Me too. So I'd love to find the ultimate potato that not only tastes fab but will also be still around to get eaten.

You've all given me some great ideas for varieties - but where do you get/buy your seed potatoes? A ist of potential places to get them would be useful.

I got most of last years from http://www.alanromans.com/

He has a good selection and his prices are reasonable, plus you don't have to buy 3 kilos at a time.  Also I get some of my shallots from him.  As he is a small firm he is "talkable" to on the phone if you need to.

All the best
Sue