White Chat Potatoes
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
White Chat potatoes vary in size and shape, depending on the specific variety and growing conditions, and generally average 1 to 4 centimeters in diameter with a round, oval, oblong shape. The tuber’s skin is notably thin, tough, and dry. Some varieties will have raised rough patches across the surface, while others will feel smooth and only lightly textured. Most White Chat potatoes also have shallow eyes that do not affect the potato’s overall shape, but a few types may have colored patches surrounding the eyes. White Chat potatoes range in color from white, ivory, to pale yellow with dark brown markings and splashes of purple-red hues. Underneath the surface, the ivory to pale yellow flesh is dense, firm, and slippery when raw, becoming soft and tender when cooked. Some varieties will have coarser-grained flesh, while others will be fine-grained and buttery. The dry matter content within the flesh also determines whether the tubers have a creamy or fluffy consistency. White Chat potatoes typically have a mix of floury and waxy qualities, allowing them to hold their shape well in dishes. The tubers are consumed cooked and have a mild, neutral, subtly earthy, and sweet taste.
Seasons/Availability
White Chat potatoes are available year-round.
Current Facts
White Chat potatoes, botanically classified as Solanum tuberosum, are a category of culinary tubers belonging to the Solanaceae family. The term “chat” is a marketing descriptor for varieties of baby, new, or cocktail potatoes and is primarily used within Australian markets. White Chat potatoes encompass several white potato varieties grown across Australia and are collected early in the season when the tubers are small in size and haven’t become fully grown. Early harvested potatoes traditionally have thinner skins, a sweeter flavor, and are easy to prepare as they can be utilized whole. In Australia, baby tubers of the Coliban variety are popularly sourced for White Chat potatoes. Other varieties sold under the White Chat name include Nadine, Maris Piper, Sebago, Dutch Cream, and Nicola. White Chat potatoes are widely available in Australian markets and are sought after for their small size. The petite tubers are considered a novelty and are plated on dishes as an aesthetically pleasing ingredient. White Chat potatoes are also versatile and incorporated into a wide array of savory preparations as a neutral culinary ingredient.
Nutritional Value
White Chat potatoes vary in vitamin and mineral content, depending on the specific variety. White baby potatoes, in general, are sources of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, fiber to stimulate and regulate the digestive tract, and potassium to replenish electrolytes and balance fluid levels within the body. White potatoes also provide iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, magnesium to control daily nerve functions, zinc to guard the body against viruses, and calcium and phosphorus to support bones and teeth.
Applications
White Chat potatoes have a mild, sweet, and subtly earthy taste suited for cooked preparations. The small tubers are favored for their size, allowing them to be cooked faster than full-grown potatoes. White Chat potatoes are notably cooked whole, and their skins are thin and do not need to be peeled. The tubers are promoted for roasted, boiled, and steamed preparations. White Chat potatoes have a good skin-to-flesh ratio, meaning they can be used in roasted recipes to develop a crisp exterior and a fluffy interior. It is recommended to parboil the potatoes and then smash and bake or fry for the crispiest skin. White Chat potatoes can also be boiled and tossed in herbs and aromatics as a simple side dish or cooked and served with aioli as an appetizer. In Australia, White Chat potatoes are often used in potato salads. They are also tossed into seafood dishes and served alongside roasted or grilled meats. Try adding White Chat potatoes into Sunday roast preparations or incorporating the tubers into soups, stews, and curries. The tubers can be used in any recipe calling for cocktail, new, or baby potatoes. White Chat potatoes pair well with herbs and spices such as parsley, rosemary, thyme, marjoram, and paprika, lemon juice, seafood including crab, tuna, and octopus, and meats such as pork, beef, and poultry. Whole, unwashed White Chat potatoes will keep for 1 to 2 weeks when stored in a cool, dry, and dark location. The tubers can also be parboiled and frozen for extended use, keeping up to three months.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Potatoes are celebrated as a historical crop in Thorpdale, a town in Victoria, Australia. European colonists settled in the town in the late 19th century, and it was quickly established for farming, timber collection, and coal mining. Thorpdale is known for its rich, sticky, and fertile volcanic soil, and potatoes have been cultivated in the town since the arrival of the Europeans. The soil has a distinct red-brown coloring due to its high iron content, which is a major contributing factor to the region’s potato success. Potatoes were extensively grown in Thorpdale during World War II to feed overseas troops, and since the war, the region is still known for its potato production due to a famous festival. In the early 21st century, Thorpdale community members reinstated the bi-annual Thorpdale Potato Festival as a celebratory event praising the history of the regional tubers. The Thorpdale Potato Festival features live entertainment, potato markets, local vendors, a parade, and a famous potato race. There is even a fashion-based competition to create the most memorable outfit out of potato sacks. In 2015, the first year it was re-instated, the event attracted over 10,000 visitors, and the money raised during the festival was given to Thorpdale organizations. Attendance has continued to increase each year since the festival’s creation, and the event contributes to maintaining the town and its community.
Geography/History
White Chat potatoes is an Australian term for baby potatoes derived from several varieties of white potatoes with individual worldwide histories. As a general category, potatoes were carried with European settlers to Australia in the early 19th century and were planted in the early colonies as a food source. Production expanded over time with the increase of established populations, and new varieties were bred locally and introduced from other countries. It is unknown when the term chat first appeared as a branding tool in commercial markets in Australia. Many of the varieties of white potatoes sold under White Chat, including Maris Piper, Nadine, and Coliban, were created in the United Kingdom and were planted in Australia in the 20th century. Coliban is one of Australia's most well-known white potato varieties and is the main variety sold as a generic white potato in commercial markets. This has also led it to be used for White chat potatoes, and in some markets, the petite tubers are referred to as Baby Coliban potatoes. Today, White Chat potatoes are cultivated throughout Australia’s main potato production regions, including areas in South Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Potatoes are also grown on a smaller scale in Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales. White Chat potatoes are readily available in supermarkets in Australia and are also sold directly through growers, at farmer’s markets, and through wholesalers. Some White Chat potatoes are also exported from Australia to Singapore.
