Potatoes come in many varieties and can be grouped by ideal cooking method. Starch content determines how well they should be cooked. Baked potatoes are high in starch, while hot potatoes have moist, waxy flesh. All-purpose potatoes can be used for most recipes.
There are several thousand different types of potatoes, from tiny blue fingerlings to huge oven rusts. One of the most popular crops in the world, potatoes are a staple food that can be prepared in a variety of ways. The types of potatoes can be grouped according to their ideal method of cooking: some potatoes are better for baking, some are better for boiling, and some are considered all-purpose, meaning they can be prepared in many ways. The starch content of the potato is the key to determining how well it should be cooked. Exotic potato varieties range in color from yellow to purple.
Baked potatoes are high in starch and usually have a dry, rough exterior. They become light and fluffy when cooked and are also ideal for mashing and frying. The large brown potatoes commonly sold in most grocery stores are oven potatoes. Many oven potatoes are labeled russet or Idaho, although there are hundreds of individual varieties. Some blue and purple-fleshed potatoes are also considered oven potatoes, although they are usually marketed as specialty or gourmet versions.
Hot potatoes have moist, waxy flesh and a thin, smooth outer skin. The outside of a hot potato can be brown, red, yellow or blue and will often have a smooth, shiny appearance. Potatoes intended for boiling can be round, oblong or long thin tubers, depending on the variety. The waxy interior of piping hot potato types makes them ideal for serving in chunks, cubes, or slices in hot dishes; the pieces will hold together well and won’t dissolve in sauces or broth. Because piping hot potatoes hold their shape well, they’re often requested in potato salads and other cold recipes.
All-purpose potato types combine the characteristics of baking and boiling potatoes and can be used for most recipes. Common all-purpose potatoes include Yukon gold and red potatoes. Purchasing all-purpose potatoes allows the home cook to purchase only one type of potato but create a large selection of finished dishes. Specialty potato types, such as colored fingerlings and new potatoes of all varieties, fall into the all-purpose category.
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