Ireland’s love affair with the potato is as strong as ever, with Irish households set to work their way through an estimated 117 million packs of potatoes this year.
The great taste of one of the nation’s favourite foods will be celebrated this Friday (7th October) through National Potato Day, which will be highlighting the versatility of the popular tuber.
According to figures* the potato is still Ireland’s most popular main meal carb and show that:
- Potatoes are purchased every two seconds in Irish retailers
- 97% of Irish families buy potatoes
- An estimated 1.65 million households purchase potatoes annually
- The spend on potatoes this year is expected to be in the region of €201 million
- The average buying frequency is 37 times a year
- The most popular potato variety is the Rooster, making up 58% of sales.
Lorcan Bourke, Potato Sector Manager with Bord Bia, said the potato is an important part of Irish culture, and it is a tribute to their great taste, versatility, and value-for-money that they have endured through the generations to remain Ireland’s favourite carb.
“We are in an era where people have more food choices than ever before, and are increasingly health concious. So the fact that potatoes are naturally fat-free and gluten free is hugely positive in their favour. We are keen to highlight to people that potatoes are a true international food with delicious recipes available from all over the world and now available on www.potato.ie”
Ambassador chef for Bord Bia’s “Potatoes: More Than A Bit On The Side” campaign, Mark Moriarty, said Irish people are still conservative when it comes to cooking potatoes.
“We all know how tasty potatoes are, but very few Irish people experiment and push out the boat when it comes to cooking them. Practically every culture in the world grows potatoes and has their own potato recipes, and I would love people to be more adventurous and to discover the versatility and joys of this wonderful food ingredient” said Moriarty, who is the ‘San Pellegrino World Young Chef of the Year’.
Moriarty said the potato is in fact one of the most versatile ingredients he has in his kitchen and he uses them in Thai and Indian curries, Caribbean and Mexican dishes, as well as recipes from all across Europe.
“Potatoes are at the top of my shopping list, because they have their own great taste, as well as being able to carry so many other food flavours.”
The well-known TV dietician Aoife Hearne, who is also an ambassador to the campaign, says there are myths around potatoes that need to be dispelled.
“The biggest misconception around potatoes is that they are fattening, but this is simply not the case. Potatoes are in fact highly nutritious, naturally fat-free and provide a good source of fibre and vitamins. They provide Irish people with a very important source of unprocessed carbohydrates, which are essential for our bodies, and particularly for brain functions.”
The “Potatoes: More Than A Bit On The Side” campaign website, www.potato.ie includes over 60 delicious recipes from around the world. All are quick to prepare under 30 minutes and contain between 300 and 500 calories.
The delicious recipes include Spanish Chicken, Chorizo and Potato One Pot; Pan-seared Cod with Potatoes and Chorizo; India inspired Potato and Chickpea Masala; Thai Chicken and Potato Stir Fry and an easy tray bake Moroccan Lamb Tagine.
The fourth annual National Potato Day is on Friday, October 7th. Bord Bia are calling on the Irish public to celebrate it, by choosing their own preferred potato recipe from www.potato.ie.
*Source of figures quoted: Kantar Worldpanel figures September 2016