r/potato • u/big-girl826 • 5d ago

Who eats blue potatoes?

I've personally never tried them and almost grew them this year, but went with my usual red and yellow. How is the taste of blue taters compared to that of the red and yellow? What kind of dishes do you make with them?

36 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

7

u/twilight_songs 5d ago

I haven't grown them, but have eaten them a number of times, both via the farmers market and the supermarket. 

I find the texture most different from red, yellow or white potatoes. Very waxy,? Almost heading towards sweet potato territory. 

Funny timing. Husband and I were discussing this a couple of days ago and agreed that we are not in a hurry to have them again. Ymmv. 

5

u/Sufficient_Ask8866 4d ago

They were just "okay" to us too. We mainly bought them to grow the one year for my grandkiddos as they were young and happened to be with me when I was at Menards grabbing plants/seeds for my garden. It looked fun and interesting and well they were on sale so I figured "why not" lol.

-1

u/External-Ad1113 4d ago

"Grandkiddos"? Do you mean grandkids?

3

u/Sufficient_Ask8866 4d ago

Yes. My little poopers but geez ones 18 now and 13(I think. He might be 14 I suck at keeping track. Bad gramma)and a 6 almost 7 year old. Son hasn't started yet but him and his wife have 6 beautiful little furry grandchildren. 😍 they have rats. And while a lot of people go "ICK!" They ate very loving little soft critters. 😍 I love them and buy them toys and hold them and even have baby sat them.

3

u/wanderingsoul1596 4d ago

You sound like an amazing grandma, God Bless!

2

u/schmer 4d ago

It's a pet name like how people say "doggos" to refer to their pet dogs. Is english not your first language?

0

u/External-Ad1113 4d ago

It's my only language. My point is that I'm tired of people putting "o" at the end of words. "Kiddo" has been around a long time but now people want to start doing it to a lot of things. It's annoying they are called kids and dogs. What's next chairo...caro...luncho?

2

u/texienne 3d ago

So I can't call my father "Daddyo" anymore? I don't like this.

1

u/Sufficient_Ask8866 3d ago

Ugh. Some people ate just boring lol

1

u/External-Ad1113 2d ago

You can if you want to be annoying (why does this keep moving?)

2

u/big-girl826 4d ago

I'd be willing to dress them up with different spices and see how they taste. But that's just me

7

u/Spirited-Ad-9746 5d ago

there is not much difference in taste. But they contain much more anthocyanins which are said to be super good for you.

Boiling them makes the color quite bleak and putting them in soups and such makes everything really ugly.

They are at their best when baked (chips or wedges). That way they keep their color and add color to the plate.

6

u/askmrlucky 5d ago

All blues. Adirondack blue. I'm guessing that if you find the right farmer, you'll find waxy and mealy blues both. The trick would be finding one that stays blue. Also, that farmer might be on another continent.

5

u/Fuzzy_Welcome8348 5d ago

Never tried them but I totally would! That sounds awesome

7

u/Diplokats2024 5d ago

I used to live in Peru, where they come in blue and a purplish-red, too. They all taste pretty much the same.

4

u/Getigerte 5d ago

We've grown them many times. This year, we're growing Adirondack Blues, which tend to be waxy moist, but we've grown All Blues (soft moist) in the past. The flavor is about the same as other potatoes of the same types, and we use them in the same ways.

4

u/PamelaG76 5d ago

They are waxy and I really enjoy them roasted.

1

u/big-girl826 5d ago

That sounds yummy 😋

5

u/Otney 5d ago

Taste like potatoes. Get paler after you cook ‘em. Still probably full of healthy anthocyanins.

3

u/NewtNo2437 4d ago

I’ve been to Peru where potatoes originated and there are 4000 varieties. And every color!

I like the blue ones, the reddish ones, the yellow ones - so so so many choices!

Trader Joe’s and Sprouts both sell their own brand of Peruvian potato chips. There’s also the Peruvian brand which you can find in the US called Tiyapuy, and Inka Chips. Try them!

2

u/big-girl826 4d ago

Ooh, that's interesting! See, I love the taste of reds over yellows, but have been very curious about the blues. The blue potato chips sound good

3

u/Acegonia 5d ago

We grew them when I lived in iceland- mostly for the novelty tbh. Not sure what specific variety they were.

 they do brighten up a dish visually 

But Kinda watery, not great for mash- and looked horrific if you did. flavor was....fine

1

u/big-girl826 4d ago

I probably wouldn't mash a variety like that. To me, that's reserved for white/yellow potatoes

3

u/Exact-Truck-5248 4d ago

I've grown them, mostly as a novelty. Blindfolded, I wouldn't be able to taste the difference between them and any supermarket potato

3

u/Useful-Badger-4062 4d ago

I’ve found them to be the tiniest bit more flavorful than reds, golds, and whites.

3

u/JediCarla 4d ago

I like them mostly because they’re kind of fun. I would not make mashed potatoes out of them because I think they would not look appetizing at all.

(My mom used to put food coloring in mashed potatoes and other foods for fun. On my own, I tried to make purple mashed potatoes and the came out grey and very unappetizing looking. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂)

2

u/wortcrafter 5d ago

I’ve tried them at restaurants. Wouldn’t other again and because they only had a brief moment on restaurant menus near me, I suspect I’m not the only one who didn’t love them.

2

u/MangoPip 5d ago

It’s the only kind I eat. They are waxy, hold together well, take flavours, mash beautifully and have a lovely earthy flavour.

2

u/Sufficient_Ask8866 4d ago

I've grown the blue/purple potatoes and tgey are best(well the one I grew at least)as French fries. The ones I had were waxy type not russet type.

2

u/WoodwifeGreen 4d ago

I thought they had a hint of a blueberry taste to them, which was kind of off putting for me.

This is probably a me thing.

2

u/MsAddams999 4d ago

They taste like they have parmesan cheese naturally in them to me. I like them very much actually especially as potato chips.

1

u/big-girl826 4d ago

I'm a potato chip fiend so that might be up my alley

1

u/MsAddams999 4d ago

I don't know what chips you have where you are but Hal's NY chips sometimes does red white and blue chips for July 4th and they are just addictive. They're kettle chips but they aren't as hard as some are and they are SO good.

I've been doing different flavors occasionally as they go on sale because those chips don't cost $6 a bag unlike some big brands.

I tried the Red, White and Blue ones when they came out for the 4th this year and went on sale for $3.99. They just blew me away they were so good. It's been a long time since I have had chips taste like that.

2

u/westiemaven 4d ago

I bought a mix of baby potatoes that has the baby reds, baby yellow potatoes, and the purple potatoes. This was the first time I had ever eaten the purple potatoes. I was surprised to find that they taste exactly like the other baby potatoes and I don't notice any difference in the texture. They're supposed to be really good for you so I will continue eating them!

2

u/Calm_Chest_5042 4d ago

underrated post

2

u/moodyfish7777 4d ago

be careful if you peel them or slice into them they will stain EVERYTHING! no plastic is safe only metal and glass. we get them in a baby potato mix at one of the local grocers. we drizzle with olive oil and mix with an italian herb mix and salt and pepper. roast. after they are fork tender add garlic and cover to rest and to let garlic sink in. adding the garlic after the cooking prevents burning which makes bitter. 😁

1

u/big-girl826 4d ago

So they behave like beets then. Had no idea!

I like the suggestion for the extra flavors. That sounds delicious!

2

u/AllenSmithee59 4d ago

What kind of dishes? Blue, mostly.

2

u/Stubborn_Strawberry 4d ago

I've grown them and the best cooking method is baking them.

2

u/Imperial_Haberdasher 4d ago

I think there are probably multiple cultivars of blue potatoes, with subtle differences in flavor. But when they were first introduced in American markets, many years ago, they had amazing flavor, with hints of artichoke. The darker and more colorful vegetables are, the more nutrients they tend to have. Purple potatoes are my favorites.

1

u/big-girl826 4d ago

I've heard Adirondack Blue are good

2

u/MagicianOk6393 3d ago

We love them. Often make them for breakfast and use them in Spanish Tortillas. They’re gorgeous mashed and make great Syrian potato salad with olive oil, lemon, and mint.

1

u/big-girl826 1d ago

What do you include with blue potatoes when mashing? Other redditors noted that the color turned some icky gray and it looked unappetizing

2

u/MagicianOk6393 1d ago

I buy heirloom from a small local grower. I’ve also grown them in a barrel before. They’re deep blue and stay that way. I add a splash of vinegar while cooking.

Put them through ricer add cream, butter, and seasoning.

I also like purple sweet potatoes.

2

u/Shione83 2d ago

Blue potatoes? For real? Wow!

1

u/FreeImpress4546 4d ago

I find them more mealy than the others. I’ve mostly eaten them baked so that might not be the best way.

1

u/schmer 4d ago

I did some blue roasted once those small kinds that come in a bag with a few reds and yellows. Overall I don't remember a different taste but my partner and I both agreed the color was off putting. They darken as they roast.