White Washed Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Washed potatoes vary in size and shape, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions. The tubers range in appearance from round, oval, to oblong in shape and are generally more uniform with blunt, curved ends. The skin is typically thin, taut, and smooth with a faint sheen, ranging in color from cream-colored, ivory, to yellow with a few tiny black-brown spots. Washed potatoes generally have shallow eyes, which do not affect the tuber’s shape, and the skin is clean and soil-free. Underneath the surface, the flesh varies in shades of white, ivory, or yellow, depending on the variety, and is firm, dense, and slippery when raw. Once cooked, Washed potatoes develop fluffy, soft, tender, and creamy textures. Each individual variety will have a slightly different consistency based on their floury or waxy tendencies. Washed potatoes are edible cooked and generally have a mix of earthy, nutty, mild, and subtly sweet flavors.
Seasons/Availability
Washed potatoes are available year-round in Australia.
Current Facts
Washed potatoes, botanically classified as Solanum tuberosum, are a category of commercial tubers sold in Australia belonging to the Solanaceae or nightshade family. Washed is a descriptor for potatoes that have been cleaned to remove dirt before sale. Potatoes are one of the most commercially produced crops in Australia. Brushed and washed are the two general groupings used in commercial markets to simplify the point of purchase in supermarkets. The main variety sold under the Washed potato name is Nadine potatoes, a cultivar initially from the United Kingdom. Several other varieties, including Sebago and Kennebec, are also sold under Washed potatoes. It is important to note that Washed potatoes are further divided into Red and White-Washed tubers, separated into groupings by the potato’s skin color. Washed potatoes are marketed for convenience in commercial markets, and most tubers are considered all-purpose cultivars, allowing them to be used in a wide array of culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Washed potatoes have not been studied for their nutritional properties, as several varieties are sold under this descriptor. Potatoes, in general, are a source of minerals such as iron, calcium, and potassium. Iron develops the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, calcium to support bones and teeth, and potassium replenishes electrolytes and balances fluid levels within the body. Potatoes also provide fiber to regulate the digestive tract and vitamins B and C to strengthen the immune system and maintain healthy nerve functions.
Applications
Washed potatoes have a mild, earthy, nutty, and sweet flavor suited for cooked preparations. Each variety sold under the Washed potato name may vary slightly in flavor, and in commercial markets, Washed potatoes are marketed for conventional, everyday recipes. Washed potatoes are popularly baked, roasted, boiled, and fried. Boiled potatoes are commonly incorporated into salads or mashed into a creamy side dish. Washed potatoes are also cooked into gratins and casseroles or simmered into soups, stews, and curries. In Australia, Washed potatoes can be used in any recipe calling for potatoes and are roasted as a side dish, fried into hash browns, or cooked into fries and chips. They can also be added to pot pies, baked and stuffed, or pureed into sauces. Washed potatoes pair well with spices such as paprika, turmeric, cumin, and cinnamon, herbs including tarragon, sage, thyme, and rosemary, and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and turnips. Whole, Washed potatoes will keep for several weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location. It is important to note that Washed potatoes will have a shorter shelf life than brushed potatoes, as layers of the skin may have been removed during the washing process.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Potatoes were one of the first crops carried with the First Fleet, a group of eleven ships that sailed from England to Australia in 1787. It took the First Fleet over eight months to arrive in Botany Bay, and the fleet later settled in Sydney Cove, a bay south of their original destination. After arriving, the new colony members began planting gardens, and potatoes were included in the gardens along with corn, barley, wheat, peas, and turnips. The colony’s food habits were primarily based on English customs and diets, and potatoes were a staple crop utilized in stews and boiled in simple preparations. Despite the initial plantings, the colony struggled to cultivate crops due to unsuitable soils, and it took several attempts and relocation to find ideal land. Potatoes became successfully cultivated in Australia in the 19th century, and since their establishment, they have become one of the most commercially grown crops on the continent.
Geography/History
Washed potatoes are a marketing term for several commercial varieties in Australia that have been cleaned before retail sale. The name encompasses cultivars from varying historical backgrounds, and most Washed varieties were introduced to Australia from the United Kingdom. Potatoes, in general, were first planted in Australia in the late 18th century. Some sources note that potatoes were initially planted in Australia by botanist and explorer Sir Joseph Banks, who carried tubers from Brazil around 1770. Later, in 1788, potatoes were carried with passengers from the First Fleet traveling from England. Potatoes also reached the island of Tasmania, where they were first commercially grown and shipped to parts of mainland Australia in the 1830s. Over time, potato cultivation spread across Australia, especially into South Australia, and new advancements in irrigation technology in the 1950s and 60s helped broaden cultivation. Washed potatoes also arose in the 1960s, developing a new market for soil-free tubers for added convenience. Today, Washed potatoes are primarily grown in South Australia by large commercial farms. They are also grown in other potato-production regions, including Queensland, Tasmania, Western Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria.
