Kerr's Pink facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kerr's Pink |
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Kerr's Pink for sale at a petrol station in Ireland
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| Genus | Solanum |
| Species | Solanum tuberosum |
| Cultivar | 'Kerr's Pink' |
| Origin | Cornhill, Scotland, 1907 |
Kerr's Pink is a very popular type of potato. You can find it growing in many countries. It is especially common in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Many people call it an "Irish potato." However, it actually started in Scotland in 1907. A person named J. Henry created it there. It was then brought to Ireland in 1917.
What is Kerr's Pink Potato?
A potato like Kerr's Pink is called a "cultivar." This means it is a special type of plant. It was developed by people for certain features. These features could be how it tastes or how well it grows.
In 2002, Kerr's Pink was very popular in Ireland. About 25% of all potatoes grown there were Kerr's Pink. This made it the second most popular potato in the country!
What Does It Look Like and How Is It Used?
Kerr's Pink potatoes are easy to spot. They have a special pink skin. They also have "deep eyes." These are the little dents where new sprouts can grow.
When you cook them, these potatoes are quite "floury" and "starchy." This means they become soft and fluffy. They are excellent for mashing into a smooth dish. They are also great for boiling. You can even use them to make chips, which are like thick-cut fries.
Growing Kerr's Pink Potatoes
Kerr's Pink plants grow many potatoes underground. However, they can easily get a plant disease called potato blight. This disease can damage the plant and the potatoes.
They also have some weaknesses to other problems. They are not very good at resisting common scab. This is a disease that makes spots on the potato skin. They also have low resistance to tiny worms called potato cyst nematodes. These worms can harm the roots of the plant.
On the bright side, Kerr's Pink potatoes are quite strong against slugs. Slugs are garden pests that like to eat plants. These potatoes also do not split easily when they are growing. This means they stay whole and firm.
