Types of Potatoes

Before stumbling on this site (and eventually scraping it!) I knew only a handful of potato types but this dataset just opened my eyes to different varieties of potatoes in the world. This dataset is small and intended for informative purpose only.

Potatoes are one of the most versatile ingredients in a commercial kitchen. In fact, many diners don't consider a meal to be complete if it doesn't include a hot baked potato. With so many potato varieties to choose from, it can be difficult to match the right potato with the correct cooking method.

Potato Uses

Potatoes are also categorized by the texture of their flesh and the best way to prepare them. These are the three classifications of potato texture:

Starchy Potatoes

Starchy potatoes have a high starch content with dry, mealy flesh. The dry texture of the potato's interior causes it to crumble and break down easily, which makes it ideal for making mashed potatoes or using as a baked potato. Dry flesh also soaks up liquids like a sponge, so any dairy or butter that's added to the potato will absorb quickly and evenly. Potatoes with a high starch content are also the best candidates for frying into French fries. The exterior absorbs oil and becomes deliciously crispy, while the interior remains fluffy.

Waxy Potatoes

Waxy potatoes contain very little starch and have creamy flesh with a high moisture content. These potatoes usually have thin skin and don't need to be peeled before cooking. Unlike starchy potatoes that fall apart when cooked, waxy potatoes hold their shape. This makes them ideal for simmering in soups and stews, boiling for potato salads, or baking in casseroles.

All-Purpose Potatoes

All-purpose potatoes are the best of both worlds. They contain a medium amount of starch, which gives them fluffy texture when mashed or baked. But they also have a medium water content, which helps them to hold their shape when simmered, roasted, or pan fried. Choosing an all-purpose potato provides the most options when it comes to preparation.

Tables

Potatoes

@kaggle.kkhandekar_types_of_potatoes.potatoes

12.58 KB
14 rows
6 columns


CREATE TABLE potatoes (
  "potatoname" VARCHAR,
  "blurb" VARCHAR,
  "texture" VARCHAR,
  "skincolor" VARCHAR,
  "fleshcolor" VARCHAR,
  "bestuse" VARCHAR
);