potty for potatoes (Potatoes)

Member Name: gothicchucky69

Product:	Potatoes
Date:	20/05/09 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: healthy, cheap, versatile

Disadvantages: time to prepare

What is so great about potatoes, everything!!
Versatility, they are relatively cheap, healthy (depending on what you do with them), many different varieties so they is always a variety to suit your needs and they can be purchased almost anywhere or if you fancied it you could grow your own.
I don't claim to be an expert on the subject however I have spent the last couple of years working with the things. I won't mention the products we do or where they can be purchased I'll just review the raw material itself.
Well depending on what you are doing with them you need to find the right varieties. This is the key as they are two main things that effect the way a potato will bake or fry.
Sugar content & dry matter
The higher the sugar content obviously the sweeter they will be and the darker they will appear when fried or baked. Varieties such as Marfona can have a higher sugar content and lower dry matter so they tend to make a great baked potato but are not advised for chipping as it is a very wet potato. For chipping you need something around 20% dry matter like King Edwards & Maris Piper.
Varieties like Harmony have low dry matter and sugar content so they are quite tasteless although they are mainly used for baked potatoes.
Storage

To get the most out of your potatoes they need to be stored in a cool dry place best temperature is about +10°C if they are stored too cold the starch in the potato will convert to sugar. So if you insist on storing them in the fridge take them out the day before you use them to allow the sugars to convert back to starch.

Potatoes are a natural source of starchy carbohydrates and are very filling. They also contain niacin (a chemical that help to create serotonin) and is why some say combat depression with potatoes!

All in all I think people should start eating more potatoes in the diet as they have so many health benefits.

Summary: Cheap, easy to get hold of, easy to cook and there healthy