To make you get the best potatoes for your needs, keep in mind that the varieties in pre-pack bags can change throughout the year with the new crop seasons, but as long as the cooking type is the same, your potato dish will be fine!
If you’re looking for new or specialty varieties, farmers markets are an excellent resource. You might find recently introduced spuds that are new to the market.
Chips
The best potatoes for making chips are those that have a high starch and low moisture content, which gives them their crisp, crunchy texture on the outside and keeps them fluffy and delicious on the inside. Whether you air fry or deep fry, you can get more crunch with these options – Carisma, Ruby Lou, Soprano and Sifra.
Tip: Put your raw chips salted water for an hour or two, drain and pat dry prior to cooking to get an even better result!
Mashed potatoes
A yellow flesh potato with a high starch content is a good choice as they will have a light, fluffy texture when cooked and mashed. Royal Blue, Prince of Orange, Maris Piper or Cashmere Gold are great at absorbing milk, butter, and seasonings – which is exactly what you want when you’re making mash!
When you’ve found your perfect potatoes, try our Easy Peasy Fish Pie
Roast potatoes
The best potatoes for making roasties are fluffy and starchy varieties such as Rodeo, Ruby Lou or Carisma (also sold as SpudLite). Kipfler is also a delicious gourmet option (small, nutty and totally delicious!)
Potato salad
For this much-loved barbecue staple, your potato of choice should be able to hold its shape, have a creamy texture and a bit of bite - and not go mushy when cooked. No one likes a mushy potato salad. choose varieties such as White Star, baby Nadine or Sifra. Cashmere Gold is also a great option in this category.
Smaller new potatoes have a thin skin that you can leave on, making them another great choice.
Gnocchi
A starchy potato with a low moisture content is ideal for gnocchi to give it a light and fluffy texture; try Nadine and Nicola varieties.
Potato bake
Choose a firm textured potato such as the Desiree or any of the all-rounders listed below.
Curry or casserole
The best type of potatoes for putting in dishes which include liquid are firm, dense, and starchy varieties, such as Russet. They hold their shape and will absorb the flavours of whatever you are cooking. Avoid waxy varieties as they can break down and be mushy.
Great all-rounders
Potato varieties that fall between waxy and floury/starchy are usually great all-rounders that can be used in many different types of recipes.
- Desiree potato (sometimes sold as washed red potatoes and great for everything apart from deep frying)
- Kestral - (white with splashes of purple)
- Rodeo (red)
- Sebago - (white)
- Golden Delight - (white)
- Royal Blue (purple)
- Carisma (white and sometimes sold as SpudLite)
- Nadine (sometimes sold as washed white potatoes)
If your local supermarket only has washed red potatoes or washed white potatoes (without a specific variety) - check the back of the pack and it will probably tell you which dishes that particular potato is good for.
How to store your veggies so they last longer
