Jersey Royal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potato 'Jersey Royals' |
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'Jersey Royals', raw
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| Genus | Solanum |
| Species | Solanum tuberosum |
| Variety | International Kidney |
| Cultivar | 'Jersey Royal' |
| Origin | Jersey |
The Jersey Royal is a special type of potato grown on the island of Jersey. It's known by its official name, International Kidney, and is usually harvested when it's young, making it a 'new potato'. This potato has a special status called a Protected Designation of Origin. This means it can only be called 'Jersey Royal' if it comes from Jersey.
Contents
The Story of Jersey Royals
How the Potato Was Discovered
The story of the Jersey Royal potato began around 1880. A farmer from Jersey named Hugh de la Haye found a very large potato. This potato was unusual because it had 15 'eyes'. These 'eyes' are the spots on a potato where new sprouts grow.
Hugh de la Haye shared his discovery with his friends. They decided to cut the potato into pieces. Each piece was then planted in a special type of field. This field was called a côtil, which means it was a steeply sloping field. It was located above the Bellozanne valley.
From Fluke to Royal
One of the plants that grew from these pieces produced unique potatoes. These potatoes were shaped like kidneys. They also had a very thin, delicate skin. The farmers decided to call this new potato the Jersey Royal Fluke. Over time, its name was shortened to simply 'Jersey Royal'.
Jersey Royals Today
A Big Crop for Jersey
Today, the Jersey Royal potato is the biggest crop that Jersey exports. This means it's the most important farm product the island sells to other places. About 70% of all the money made from farming in Jersey comes from these potatoes.
Exporting to the UK
Almost all of the Jersey Royal potatoes grown, about 99%, are sent to the United Kingdom. This makes them a very popular food there. For example, in 2012, Jersey exported 28,600 tonnes of these potatoes. That amount was worth about £28.6 million. In 2011, they exported even more, around 30,890 tonnes.
Special Protection for the Potato
The Jersey Royal potato has a special legal protection. It is covered by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). This rule comes from the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. It helps make sure that only potatoes truly grown in Jersey can be sold as 'Jersey Royals'. This protects the potato's unique name and origin.
