Every home in the world has potatoes. You can enjoy them mashed, roasted, baked, or even fried. But not every potato is created equal. Since there are so many potato varieties in the market, selecting the right one can be the difference between a dish that is creamy and one that is dry.
Understanding the differences in starch, moisture, and texture among potato types will help you find the perfect spud for the right dish. Here is a useful guide to the types and their best uses.
Starch And Wax: Everything Between
Before discussing specific potato varieties, it’s important to understand that potatoes fall into three categories: starchy, waxy, and all-purpose.
- Starchy (Russet) potatoes are fluffy and dry. They absorb moisture well. Ideal for frying or baking.
- Waxy potatoes, like Red or New Potatoes, are moist. They retain their shape and hold well. They are best for boiling and salads.
- Multi-purpose potatoes like Yukon Gold strike a perfect balance. Versatile and reliable.
Each category is used for a different purpose in cooking. Let’s examine popular varieties and the dishes in which they excel.
Russet Potatoes: The Fluffy Favorite
Category: Starchy
Best For: Baking, Mashing, and French Fries
In North America, russets are the most widely known potato variety. Due to their brown, thick skin, fluffy interior, and dry exterior, russets are the best choice for classic baked potatoes or mashed potatoes. When fried, their skins crisp up, making them the perfect choice for French fries or even hashbrowns.
Russets can fall apart in soups and salads when boiled, due to the low moisture level.
Yukon Gold: The Golden Middle Ground
Category: All-purpose
The best for: Raising, mashing, and soups.
Yukon Golds are prized for their buttery, creamy flavor. This variety is one of the best options because it has a golden-yellow color and medium starch content. They can be mashed easily and without much additional fat. They will also hold shape well when added to soups or casseroles.
These are also great for roasting. They’re crunchy on the outside, but tender and flavorful on the inside.
The Salad Star: Red Potatoes
Categories: Waxy
Best uses: Steaming, boiling, and potato Salads
Red potatoes have thin skins, and their low starch levels ensure that they remain firm after cooking. This makes them ideal for potato dishes like potato salads and boiled sides, where the pieces need to hold their shape. The texture of these potatoes is perfect in soups or stews.
These potatoes have a mild sweetness and earthy flavour that pair well with fresh herbs, mustard-based sauces, or vinegar aigrettes.
Petite And Flavorful – Fingerling Potatoes
Category: Waxy
Best For: Raising and pan-frying
The small fingerling potatoes have a nutty, rich flavor and a firm texture. They are still packed with flavour. A simple side dish, fingerlings are delicious roasted with olive and rosemary oil.
Because of their tiny size and thin skin, they cook rapidly. Only a rinse and sometimes a slice are required for preparation.
Purple Potatoes Are A Healthy Choice
Category: All-purpose
Best use: roasting, baking, or salads
This potato is packed with antioxidants and has a purple skin. Its texture is similar to Yukon Golds—slightly creamy yet firm—making it suitable for various cooking methods.
Roasted potatoes are a great way to add color and interest to your meals. They’re especially beautiful in salads, mixed potato dishes, or even warm potato dishes.
Spuds That Dictate The Dish
Potato types can be a little thing, but the dish’s result will depend on what you choose. Russets make the perfect starchy potatoes for creamy, smooth mashed potatoes. Yukon Golds will add structure and taste to a potato layering casserole or gratin. Red or Fingerling potatoes are waxy types that will hold up well to boiling in a chilled or hot salad.
Some dishes can tolerate any type of potato, while others need precision. Knowing what type of potato to use will help you cook more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Potatoes have more to them than meets the eye. By learning about the different potato types available and how to use them in the cooking process, you will be able to elevate your regular cooking and make it tastier and more intentional. Choose the right potato the next time that you are at the store. Your guests, and your meals, will thank you.
