Boiling potatoes

patchwork_cat

I have always started boiling potatoes in hot water, but I hearda while ago someone say if they grow below ground to start boiling in cold, above ground in hot. Have you noticed a difference in taste or texture starting in cold.

kitschkitty

I've always boiled from cold, so afraid I can't help much. Only pasta I cook in boiling water.

Pitlanepiglet

I work on the same logic, things that grow under the ground I start in cold water, things that grow above the ground go into boiling water.

I *think* that when I do put potatoes in boiling water they are more likely to fall apart on the outside before the insides are cooked, but I've never really investigated the two methods.

LJM

if they are small salad pots i boil water first then pop in for everything else i boil from cold

Swan_2

I've always used cold water for maincrop potatoes & boiling water for new ones

I've no idea where the 'rule' came from though, I must check out a cookery book or two

JillS_2

Swan wrote: »

I've always used cold water for maincrop potatoes & boiling water for new ones

I've no idea where the 'rule' came from though, I must check out a cookery book or two

Yes, me too. And so did my mum.

Must be Old Style

angeltreats

Yep I boil spuds from cold too. That's how we were taught in college. And yes I think the spuds would be more likely to fall apart if put straight into boiling water.

I go by the below ground cold, above ground boiling rule too, but my mum starts her cauliflower in cold water, brings it to the boil, and boils it till it's absolutely falling apart. You should see the state of it :eek:

meanmarie

Would agree with Swan...early potatoes boiling water, maincrop cold, but over the last few years I only steam them and find this the best way of all.

Marie

Churchmouse

I "think" it's probably mostly to do with custom but I always start all potatoes in cold water, but wouldn't dream of doing that to carrots, and they grow below ground. Nowadays I don't tend to boil anything except potatoes, everything else is steamed, but when I did boil carrots they were always placed in boiling water. Would be interesting if it does make any difference :cool:

Swan_2

JillS wrote: »

Yes, me too. And so did my mum.

Must be Old Style

meanmarie wrote: »

Would agree with Swan...early potatoes boiling water, maincrop cold, but over the last few years I only steam them and find this the best way of all.

Marie

I think it must have been passed down from my Grans, I'm a cookbook addict, but now I've thought about it, I don't recall ever consulting one about the boiling of tatties

patchwork_cat

My Grandma was a domestic science teacher, however she was Canadian. I don't remember what Grandma did, but Mum definately used boiling water. Interesting. DH says his Mum uses boiling, must ask her.

How long do you cook them for, we do 20 minutes, do you take 20 minutes from boiling? ( we don't boil pots very often atm, more jackets or actifry's)