First discovered by the Spaniards in the 16th Century, and eaten by the Peruvians 2,000 years previously, the potato is the most popular of all vegetables.
Types/Varieties
Potatoes make a valuable contribution to our diet in Ireland. They are an excellent source of starch and contain no fat if eaten boiled or baked. They are also an important source of vitamin C providing more than one third of our daily requirement.
Rooster and Kerr's Pink are the two most important varieties grown, with 38% of total area planted with Rooster and 21% planted with Kerr's Pink. the following are other popular varieties grown in Ireland.
- Rooster
- Kerr's Pink
- British Queen
- Record
- Maris Piper
- Golden Wonder
- Home Guard
- Cara
Sector Profile
The Potato production area in Ireland is currently a bout 12,000ha with 600 growers involved in commercial potato production.
Over half of the production area is based in North Leinster with the counties of Meath, Dublin and Louth being the key production areas.
In terms of varieties grown main crop potatoes account for over 70% of total production with the balance being made up of early variety production processing variety production.
Nutritional Value /100 grams raw potato
| Vitamin C |
11 milligrams |
| Vitamin B6 |
.44 milligrams |
| Carbohydrate |
17.2 grams |
| Thiamin |
0.21 milligrams |
| Folate |
35 micrograms |
| Energy K Cals |
75 |
| Fibre |
1.3 grams |
| Energy Value Kcal per 100g boiled |
72 |
How to Store
Store in a dark, cool place to avoid greening. Keep away from strong smelling foodstuffs. Potatoes packed in polyethene bags should be taken out of the bag as soon as possible.
How to Cook
Potatoes are very versatile. They can be boiled, steamed, baked, roasted, chipped and sautéed.