JERSEY Potatoes - Are we being ripped off?

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

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antrobus

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver wrote: »

Riverford don't import via Air but they have growers in Europe.
The Jersey's would have had good provenance.

Yes, but my point was that the growers would have to be in Jersey, and not any old part of Europe for said potatoes to be 'Jerseys'. I'm quite sure that other parts of Europe are perfectly capable of growing International Kidney potatoes to acceptable standards but they wouldn't be Jerseys.

Edit: And I know see from the photos shown above, that your Jerseys aren't Jerseys at all, they're Charlotte that have simply been grown in Jersey.

antrobus

A._Badger wrote: »

There is no difference at all in the variety of seed potato used. They are all grown using one variety (essentially) 'International Kidney', which you can buy as a seed potato anywhere and grow in your back garden, if you want.....

Absolutely, and that would be the point. For Jerseys to be something special, there must be something different (in the local micro-climate, the method of cultivation, whatever) that produces a superior flavour. Whatever it was, I'd agree, they either ain't doing it anymore, or they're doing something different.

geordie_joe

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver wrote: »

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What on earth made you think those were Jersey Royals?

Maybe that's the problem, people are buying other types of potatoes thinking they are Jersey Royals, then complaining they don't taste the same.

geordie_joe

antrobus wrote: »

Whatever it was, I'd agree, they either ain't doing it anymore, or they're doing something different.

It looks to me like they are growing an entirely different variety, but because the bag has the word "Jersey" on it, they are thinking they are Jersey Royals.

A._Badger

Charlotte is a completely different potato variety. As I posted before, the so-called 'Jersey Royal' is grown from International Kidney. You might as well compare Jerseys with King Edwards or Cara as with Charlotte.

It's this level of consumer ignorance that lets growers and retailers get away with things. And, sorry, I don't believe the Jersey Royals people are buying in greengrocers are in any way different to those sold by the supermarkets. There just isn't that variety of supply. Look at he packaging - they are from exactly the same sources.

meritaten

Charlotte are a popular variety of salad potatoes with supermarkets - because they are prolific croppers and the supermarkets can get them year round. are they good potatoes? NO - they have no taste whatsoever! I never buy them now!
look for varieties in season!
Maris Peers are a good early crop and have a good taste.
Pembrokeshire new potatoes are in the shops and also have a good taste - just cooked some for supper and they were delish!

yangptangkipperbang

The sad fact is that most people believe there are two varieties of potato - white and red !
More and more stores just work on that principle and will get the growers to produce the cheapest (actual) variety - regardless of how awful they might taste.
As someone has already pointed out Charlotte is a salad potato - not only that, it isn't strictly speaking, an early potato - it's a second early.

It is sad to see that even the humble spud has gone the same way as apples/strawberries/tomatoes - to be tasteless junk !!!!

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I had no idea they weren't Jersey Royals, Could you post up a picture showing me what they are and where I have been going wrong? I am sure Riverford are conscientious enough to get organic Jersey's from Jersey if they can get hold of them as they are very customer focussed.
Other than that they were/are delicious.

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

Doh at me! re Riverford Charlottese.
I am sure if they were Riverford Jerseys of if I brought from Natoora and Farmision it would be similarly honestly labelled.