Russet potato

A russet potato is a type of potato that is large, with dark brown skin and few eyes. The flesh is white, dry, and mealy, and it is suitable for baking, mashing, and french fries. Russet potatoes are also known as Idaho potatoes.[1]

Varieties

Origin

To improve the disease resistance of Irish potatoes, Luther Burbank selected the potato that became known as the Russet Burbank. It was not patented because plants such as potatoes propagated from tubers were not granted patents in the United States.[3]

Use

Restaurants such as McDonald's use russet potatoes for their size, which produce long pieces suitable for french fries. As of 2009, "McDonald's top tuber is the Russet Burbank".[4] The russet Burbank is more expensive than other potatoes, as it consumes more water and takes longer to mature, while it also requires large amounts of pesticides.[4][5]

Varieties with high levels of starch, like russet potatoes, are well-suited to baking and mashing.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Compare varieties". The Cook's Thesaurus. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Vegetable Varieties for Gardeners - Cornell University
  3. ↑ Daniel Kevles (2002). A history of patenting life in the United States with comparative attention to Europe and Canada: a report to the European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies.
  4. 1 2 Bruce Watson (23 September 2009). "McDonald's prepares to switch its fries to a greener potato". Daily Finance. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Emily Main (February 26, 2014). "McDonald's French Fries Are "Toxic Taters," Says New Campaign". Rodale News. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  • "Potato Varieties: Russets". Potatoes at WSU. Washington State University Agriculrutal Research Extension. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012.


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