Potato Varieties

Commercial potatoes are classified as ‘early’ (these provide the small ‘new potatoes’) or ‘maincrop’, according to when they mature and are harvested. Wilson (1993) has provided an excellent survey of British and European varieties of both categories, explaining their origins, uses, and relative importance in commerce and the kitchen. This survey reflects the position in the 1990s, and covers among very many others:

• early varieties—Arran Pilot, Home Guard, Red Craig’s Royal, and Maris Peer;

• maincrop—Desiree, Kerr’s Pink, King Edward, Red King, Golden Wonder, Majestic, Maris Piper, Pentland Crown, Pentland Dell, and Redskin.