Jersey Royal Spuds dont taste the same???

Doc_N

collectors wrote: »

I was in Tesco's earlier on & & knowing the JR are not very good i would try the suggested Majorcan spuds, but none in stock. So i noticed a pack of "Norfolk Keepers". I don't know if these are just a local spud as this is where i live or if they are widely available. But well worth getting. I just had some with a knob of butter & really enjoyed them.

Any local Norfolk or Lincolnshire early potatoes are going to beat Jersey Royals hands down - but they need to be as fresh as possible. The locals know where to get them by the roadside or at local farm shops, and they simply can't be beaten for flavour (homegrown excepted).

They are rather later than Jersey Royals, obviously, but well worth waiting for.

silverwhistle

A._Badger wrote: »

Just to prove how sad I am, I have even tried growing 'Jersey Royals' using the International Kidney seed potato (which is the seed potato they use) and I failed to get that old 'buttery' flavour, too. But then, I didn't use seaweed, either.

You've just reminded me that that I keep meaning to go down to the foreshore and harbour in my village after the next blow to get a tub. Unfortunately the current northerlies are off shore, but next winter maybe.

There's a 1947 Channel Islands postage stamp showing 'gathering vraic', but I don't know whether they rinsed it before application to the land or did they just leave it in heaps like manure to rot before application. I could google but it seems you're knowledgeable about the subject. :-)

But yes, agree about Jersey Royals. My own little patch of earlies (gawd knows what variety) are rampant, beyond my ability to earth up any more, even with more boards round the sides. You live and learn though..

A._Badger

Interestingly (though perhaps only for growers) you don't need to compost seaweed before using it. You can just dig it in or use it as a mulch - the sodium levels aren't high enough to do any damage.

Back to the Jersey Royals debate, the marketing people who promote JRs claim that Vraic is still in use by some growers. I would like to see the proof - not to mention a breakdown of how many 'some' represents!

To put it to the test I gritted my teeth and bought a bag of this year's crop under that irritating 'Taste The Difference' label from Sainsbury's. They were almost completely tasteless.

Tip - good, well grown Cornish new potatoes seem far better to me. Look out for them.

silverwhistle

Thanks. I spent some years in Italy where the potatoes were nothing special and with a limited variety. One advertised 'con selenio' - with selenium, although whether that was another marketing ploy I wouldn't know. I think the pots from the little plots you could come across on mountain walks at 1500m might have been quite tasty!

Since I've been back I haven't renewed my organic vegetable box, but I seem to recall that the carrots and potatoes (from Devon) were particularly tasty.

PLRFD

Had some jersey royals tonight from Aldi totally unimpressed nothing special at all.

Murphybear

collectors wrote: »

Is it me getting old & my taste buds are not working as well or are Jersey Royal spuds just not the same any more. There used to be nothing nicer than fresh spring crops on the plate with a big helping of JR spuds with a bid knob of salted butter.
But now, they don't taste much different to any other spud.
Any views? Or do you think the residents of Jersey are keeping them.

Last time I went to Jersey we noticed that the new crop of Jersey Royals was more expensive than they were in Morrisons in the U.K. . It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they sent us "grade 2" while keeping the best for themselves, or am I being cynical?:rotfl:

It's also,possible that they mass produce tasteless crops just for us, or is that even more cynical;)

Ken68

Curious that nutritionists don't reckon on potatoes being useful.
Too much starch apparently.

PLRFD

I'm not bothered what nutritionists say about them I have a balanced diet but Jerseys once had a special taste now they are comparable with salad potatoes from any supermarket which is pretty nice potatoes but not worth the premium price.

alanq

Nutritionists do not require any qualifications though some have them. Dieticians however must be qualified.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/find-a-registered-dietitian-or-nutritionist.aspx?CategoryID=51&SubCategoryID=168

While advice in the press does seem to keep changing the NHS still advises that starchy foods should form part of a balanced diet. I'll stick with that advice until/unless it changes.
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Goodfood/Pages/starchy-foods.aspx

A._Badger

Ken68 wrote: »

Curious that nutritionists don't reckon on potatoes being useful.
Too much starch apparently.

It does tend to depend on which of the quacks you ask.