I am clueless about potatoes!!

lady_fuschia

Can any of you wise ladies and gents here give me some guidance on which potatoes are best to use for what, and how to recognise them? I have some reddish-skinned ones at home at the moment and my OH seems to think they won't make good mash. I've also noticed some potatoes I buy make great chips whilst others are just rubbish, but I can never tell until I've actually cooke dthem whether they're any good or not - so what's the difference? What shall I do with the red ones?

Aldeney

Hi. I'm the same with potatoes too but found this chart from the potato council -

http://www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/varietieschart.pdf

I think it only shows British varieties but hope it helps.

newlywed

I cheat, I buy them in Co-op where it has little symbols on the packs saying good for "boiling and mashing" or "baking and roasting"

Basically Maris Pipers best for roast.

New potatoes best for boiling.

Other than that???? Thanks for the chart, will be checking it out

MJMum

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MJMum

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seaweasel

Suprisingly, we've found the Somerfield Value (or whatever they call it) potatoes to be some of the best we've tried, they're also pretty cheap.

lady_fuschia

Wow. Thanks for the chart! Really handy.

saving_is_fun

I know there are different types of potatoes but can somebody tell me which are best for doing jacket potatoes. Should they be the more "floury" ones and if so which variety is that? And which ones are best for mashing? Thanks.
SIF

oliveoyl

There's loads of info on the Potato Council website... here it tells you which potatoes to use for what dish (scroll half way down).

saving_is_fun

Thanks Olive, just had a look, that's a great website. :T

donnaessex

Hi experts.

I always buy Maris Piper - great for chips and (usually) for mash.

But the last 3 weeks my mash has been greasy, lumpy and thick - horrible! I presume they just arent at their best in the summer months?

Which potatoes are best for mashing at what time of year?