Jersey Royals Challenge ...

[Caro]

My father has just discovered how tasty jersey royal spuds are . My Mum probably gave them to him for years, but now that he's a widower and has to do his own shopping, he's actually paid attention!

Getting a bit carried away with my first attempt at potato growing, and 4 overgrown potato grow sacks, I said I'd grow him some. Well, he claims mine won't taste the same, as they have to be grown in Jersey.

So I sense a taste challenge coming on (if I can get the things to grow).

I gather that Jersey Royals are Internation Kidney ... my questions are:

1. Could I plant some shop bought potatoes now? Would they need chitting first?
2. If they did grow, would there still be Jersey Royals available in the shop to do a comparison?
3. Has anyone else tried this? Is there something magical in the Jersey climate or soil that makes a difference?

I'd love to prove him wrong, so any help gratefull received

Thanks

[Shadylane]

Well you would have to rename them - say Mock Jersey Royals or Honourary Jersey Royals, oy maybe Scottish Jersey Royals as unless they're grown in Jersey you can't call em Jersey Royals . Sorry, can't really answer your queries but I'm interested to see how this goes

[gojiberry]

Jersey Royals are a new potato (though I'm sure they would grow bigger if left) and as such have a limited season. So to do a taste comparison you would have to be growing and harvesting in line with the growers in Jersey (to late for this year).
I believe that one of the defining factors used to be the amount of seaweed that farmers put on the fields, so hopefully you live near the sea Caro. Not sure if the farmers still use seaweed though. The weather is also a lot warmer in Jersey than in Paisley at the start of the year. I would still put my charlotte up against a Jersey Royal.

Ian

[solway cropper]

Jersey Royals (international kidney) are an early maincrop but because of the climate on the island they can harvest them very early. The soil makes a difference, as does the seaweed which is often used as a fertilizer. If you grow them I guarantee they won't taste the same.

Give me epicure or charlotte any day.

[teakdesk]

Supermarket... bag of Jerseys... 4 overgrown potato grow sacks.... 3 overgrown potato grow sacks... Dad eating Jerseys... claims not as good... now you know he is an unfair judge!!!


There are plenty of varieties for home-growing that are as good as Jerseys... and anyway Jerseys don't taste as good as the ones my Mum served 40 years ago!!