By Luke Willcox – New product development team
In the UK, we grow around 90 varieties of potatoes, but there are literally thousands of different types grown every day across in the world, many of which are rare varieties found in their native Peru.
The most popular variety by far in the UK is Maris Piper – mainly because it’s such a great all-rounder – and along with a handful of other household names such as Charlotte and King Edward, you’ll usually find them listed on the pack by variety as opposed to general ‘white’ or ‘baby’ potatoes.
With that in mind, it is clear that there is a growing awareness that not all spuds are the same – look at any supermarket in the days leading up to Christmas and you’ll see King Edward and Maris Piper flying off the shelves, widely acclaimed for being the potatoes of choice for the perfect roasties.
Potatoes are much-loved by foodies for a great number of reasons, not least their versatility. We’ve broken down some of the most popular ways they are prepped to help guarantee you get perfect potato products every time.
The best variety of potatoes for roasting
When it comes to classic roasties, a ‘floury’ type is definitely the way forward as this will create the ideal mix of textures once it’s cooked. For a long time, King Edward held the crown of producing the ultimate roast potato, but other fluffy textured favourites such as Maris Piper and Inca Bella are starting to challenge for the title. It’s a question we are often asked, so we put together a handy guide on all things roasties.
However, there are other tasty ways to enjoy roast potatoes and a good summer food staple is by using new, baby or salad potatoes – just pop them into a roasting tray with a little oil and cook until they’re tender on the inside and golden in colour.
Our best roast potato recipes
We love all manner of roast potatoes with a variety of seasonings and tasty twists. Start by trying our good old-fashioned roasties, cooked with herby rosemary and goose fat. We also love the savoury flavour of these Guinness roasties for a side dish to stew or wintry casserole. If you like your roasties fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, our polenta roast potatoes should be a staple on your Sunday dinner menu.
Have you got a question you would like our potato experts to answer? Get in touch by tagging @seasonal_spuds on Instagram or by liking us on Facebook.
