Potatoes

Note: Do not store raw potatoes in the refrigerator. Cold turns the starches to sugar.

For all practical purposes, potatoes fall into two easy categories — baking, or starchy, potatoes and boiling, or waxy, potatoes.

Probably the chief difference between the two types is the amount and nature of starch each contains. Baking potatoes are relatively high in a starch, called amylose starch. Boiling potatoes are low in a starch, called amylopectin. This pectin (just as with fruit for jams) is what holds the potato together when boiling or in soup and stews.

Baking/Starchy Potatoes

These are also called starchy potatoes. They tend to be long and have a coarse, cork-like skin. They are high in starch, with a dry, mealy texture. But, they turn light and fluffy when cooked.

They are ideal for baking, mashing and French fries. They are light and fluffy baked, light and creamy mashed, and frankly, the only potato worth frying. They are often used in potato soups that are pureed because they break down better than boiling potatoes. They are not good for potato salads or soups with chunks of potatoes because they will break down and become mushy.

Some of the names you’ll see them under in the supermarket are Russet Burbank, Russet Arcadia, Norgold Russet, Goldrush, Norkotah, Long White (or White Rose or California Long White), and Idaho.

Boiling/Waxy Potatoes (Red potatoes, white boiling potatoes)

These are also called waxy potatoes. They come in a variety of shapes and can be long or round. They have a thin, smooth skin and an almost waxy flesh. They are relatively high in moisture and sugar, but low in starch.

They are ideal for soups, casseroles, potato salad, roasting, and barbecuing because of their tendency to hold their shape. You can mash them, but instead of smooth and creamy, the results tend to be thick and lumpy. Red potatoes are a good choice for salads because they look great, keep their shape, and offer a creamy texture.

You will find them sold as Round White, Round Red, Yellow Potato, Red Potato, Salad Potato, La Soda, Red La Rouge, Red Pontiac, Red Nordland, Red Bliss, Yellow Finnish, Ruby Crescent, and Australian Crescent.

A new potato is just that — an immature, small potato of whatever variety. Red potatoes may be the type most often sold, but that does not mean that a red potato is a new potato or that a new potato is a red potato.

All-Purpost Potatoes

There are some potatoes that fall in the middle, in the "all-purpose" category, such as the Yukon Gold, Peruvian Blue, Superior, Kennebec, and Katahdin. They are moister than baking potatoes and will hold together in boiling water. They are particularly well-suited to roasting, pan frying, and using in soups, stews, and gratins. They can be baked, mashed, and fried, but will not produce the same results as the bakers.