What has gone wrong with Jersey Royals?
Discussion
So what has gone wrong with the wonderful Jersey Royal potato?
Now I am one of the slightly older Pistonheaders and so remember back some 50 odd years and to the annual appearance of what was then the finest new potato money could buy. Many times in the past I would sit down to a plate of Jerseys, topped off with a large block of salted butter and want for nothing else to besmirch their glorious flavour.
But, starting maybe seven or eight years ago things started to go wrong. That fluffy flaky skin you could remove with your finger nail suddenly became lighter and tougher. That deep yellow flesh under the skin became increasingly pale and today is no different from any other new potato. Once cooked what was once a firm waxy delight has become a flaccid memory of its past. But far worse than any of these disasters is the lack or indeed loss of the unique unforgettable taste.
Now I have scanned the web but am no nearer answering my question. Is it a case of overproduction, change in growing medium, lack of seaweed fertilizer, incorrect storage?
Somebody here must know the answer!
The last half decent Jerseys (beating local grocer, Waitrose, M&S and all the others) came from Aldi two years ago, were not repeated last year and I will have to wait to see if they stock this pale reflection of past glory this season.
Now I am one of the slightly older Pistonheaders and so remember back some 50 odd years and to the annual appearance of what was then the finest new potato money could buy. Many times in the past I would sit down to a plate of Jerseys, topped off with a large block of salted butter and want for nothing else to besmirch their glorious flavour.
But, starting maybe seven or eight years ago things started to go wrong. That fluffy flaky skin you could remove with your finger nail suddenly became lighter and tougher. That deep yellow flesh under the skin became increasingly pale and today is no different from any other new potato. Once cooked what was once a firm waxy delight has become a flaccid memory of its past. But far worse than any of these disasters is the lack or indeed loss of the unique unforgettable taste.
Now I have scanned the web but am no nearer answering my question. Is it a case of overproduction, change in growing medium, lack of seaweed fertilizer, incorrect storage?
Somebody here must know the answer!
The last half decent Jerseys (beating local grocer, Waitrose, M&S and all the others) came from Aldi two years ago, were not repeated last year and I will have to wait to see if they stock this pale reflection of past glory this season.
Branch of the family in Jersey, they agree with your and my observations, and put it down to something you hit upon in your OP,
"overproduction, change in growing medium, lack of seaweed fertilizer,"
The island more or less grows nothing else these days. Slight exaggeration but in comparison with when they tasted as they should.
At a tangent, does anyone grow Cornish cliff potatoes these days?
"overproduction, change in growing medium, lack of seaweed fertilizer,"
The island more or less grows nothing else these days. Slight exaggeration but in comparison with when they tasted as they should.
At a tangent, does anyone grow Cornish cliff potatoes these days?
Messing around with the genetics i am afraid.they have been doing it for years over here in Ireland.no longer can a Kerrs Pink be called a ball of flour when its boiled and a Golden wonder has lost all its wonder.we have the Dept. of Ag. over here to blame who have been pandering to the restaurant trade who want a stable potato to remain edible for two hours after cooking
For the last 4 years Jersey Royals from Morrisons are no different in taste than ordinary nondescript new potatoes ?
Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
Stesal said:
For the last 4 years Jersey Royals from Morrisons are no different in taste than ordinary nondescript new potatoes ?
Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
International Kidney potato is the actual name of jersey royals, not quite so snappy though Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
They have to be grown on Jersey to be called Jersey Royals I think.Just been eating some of my homegrown charlottes and they wipe the floor with pretty much anything you can buy. I can recommend growing your own potatoes, varieties like Arran Pilot are not commercially viable due to their extremely short shelf life, but they are really flavoursome.
Ratte aka La Ratte potatoes are worth trying. We first had them in a hotel in Northumberland years ago and they were so tasty we asked which variety they were, the first time we've ever asked about a humble spud.
Apparently Waitrose and M&S sell them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratte_potato
Apparently Waitrose and M&S sell them: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratte_potato
Hanglow said:
Stesal said:
For the last 4 years Jersey Royals from Morrisons are no different in taste than ordinary nondescript new potatoes ?
Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
International Kidney potato is the actual name of jersey royals, not quite so snappy though Nothing short of a Rip-Off as the price of them is far greater than others?
However, Sainsburys have been selling Vivaldi potatoes that have that "Buttery" taste, so if you need a fix try them
I suspect seedlings from Jersey are now being grown elsewhere & being called Jersy Royals as they come from the stock? I could be wrong?
They have to be grown on Jersey to be called Jersey Royals I think.Just been eating some of my homegrown charlottes and they wipe the floor with pretty much anything you can buy. I can recommend growing your own potatoes, varieties like Arran Pilot are not commercially viable due to their extremely short shelf life, but they are really flavoursome.
Top Tip: Cut them in half, let the cuts dry out for a week then plant them
Edited by dickymint on Thursday 8th July 12:35
When we first moved to France 16-years ago, Noirmoutier potatoes were the must have new potato costing about €11/kg. But gradually, the same thing has happened, they are now just over-hyped expensive spuds.
When they arrive, locally produced Charlottes, bought from the market, are way better and much cheaper.
Progress
When they arrive, locally produced Charlottes, bought from the market, are way better and much cheaper.
Progress
We have noticed Jersey royals not having the same taste. The other half started to grow our own a few years ago.
For anyone who hasn’t they’re the easiest things to grow……you can do it large bags/sacks. Think twice the width and twice the height of a bag for life. Pop some compost in along with the seed potatoes. When the green shoots start sprouting up, add more compost and feed until the green shoots are sprouting up to that level. Repeat until you’re at the top of the bag. When the plant produces flowers, wait 4 to 6 weeks and harvest them.
We had four 10 gallon bags this year with each producing enough for three dinners for four of us.
All grown on the patio, no garden required, just sunlight and water.
For anyone who hasn’t they’re the easiest things to grow……you can do it large bags/sacks. Think twice the width and twice the height of a bag for life. Pop some compost in along with the seed potatoes. When the green shoots start sprouting up, add more compost and feed until the green shoots are sprouting up to that level. Repeat until you’re at the top of the bag. When the plant produces flowers, wait 4 to 6 weeks and harvest them.
We had four 10 gallon bags this year with each producing enough for three dinners for four of us.
All grown on the patio, no garden required, just sunlight and water.
Edited by efcgriswold on Monday 26th July 07:35
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