Subject: Idaho / Russet Burbank Potatoes in UK
Newsgroups: rec.food.cooking

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From: Diamond (diamond at fcukmail.com)
Date: Sun, 4 Nov 2001 11:10:40 -0000
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Does anyone know where I can buy these kinds of potatoes in the London area?

I've tried most of the major supermarkets and their either don't sell these or use generic names like new potatoes which doesn't help.

I've heard these are the best for making fries

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From: penmart01 at aol.como (Sheldon)
Date: 04 Nov 2001 13:29:26 GMT
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>Does anyone know where I can buy these kinds of potatoes in the London area?

I see you read my response to your previous post... too bad your reading *comprehension* is nonexistant.

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From: Arri London (biotech at ic.ac.uk)
Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 08:54:22 -0700
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Sheldon wrote:
> I see you read my response to your previous post... too bad your reading
> *comprehension* is nonexistant.

His shopping skills are lacking as well... very easy to find good chip potatoes in London.

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From: Diamond (diamond at fcukmail.com)
Date: Mon, 5 Nov 2001 01:11:37 -0000
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Thanks people for your comments and suggestion (Both the helpful ones and the ones that are bordering on being a little rude and personal)

I did see your previous posting describing the 4 major varieties of potatoes, etc but all I did was ask a simple question and get responses which although welcomed didn't answer a specific question on where I can get a very specific potatoes in the UK.

I also thought a new header that was more specific may yield better results. It was nice of you to go to the trouble of posting the section I have pasted below, and interesting to read but it didn't help answer my query, so why are you now slating me for it?

potato
Today, hundreds of varieties of this popular vegetable are grown around the world. In America, the potato can be divided into four basic categories:
russet, long white, round white and round red. The russet Burbank potato (also simply called russet and Idaho ) is long, slightly rounded and has a brown, rough skin and numerous eyes. Its low moisture and high starch content not only
give it superior baking qualities but also make it excellent for FRENCH FRIES. The russet Burbank was named for its developer, horticulturalist Luther Burbank of Idaho. Although grown throughout the Midwest, the russet is also commonly called IDAHO POTATO (whether or not it's grown there). (Epicurious)

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From: Arri London (biotech at ic.ac.uk)
Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 08:52:35 -0700
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Diamond wrote:
> Does anyone know where I can buy these kinds of potatoes in the London area?

*sigh* You will not find these in the UK.. their import isn't allowed. They are not highly regarded for flavour in any case.

Just go into your local Sainsbury's or Tesco's. All the potatoes are clearly labelled as to type.. the bagged ones are clearly labelled as to their best usage.

Here are some suggestions for good chip potatoes, but their availability will vary throughout the year:

Accent, Cara, Concorde, Cara, King Edward, Maris Piper, Nadine, Stemster, Swift, Valor, Winston.

Have never seen Stemster or Accent in the shops, so perhaps this is sold only to chip manufacturers. The others I've seen for sale retail.