Russet potato facts for kids
A russet potato is a popular type of potato. It's known for its large size, dark brown skin, and a few "eyes" (the small spots where sprouts grow). Inside, the potato is white, dry, and soft. Russet potatoes are great for baking, mashing, and making french fries. In the United States, they are often called Idaho potatoes.
What Kinds of Russet Potatoes Are There?
There are many different kinds, or "cultivars," of russet potatoes. Each one might have slightly different features, like how big it grows or how well it resists diseases. Here are some of the well-known russet varieties:
- Russet Burbank
- Norkotah Russet
- Frontier Russet
- Russet Nugget
- Centennial Russet
- Rio Grande Russett
- Silverton Russet
- Ranger Russet
- Umatilla Russet
- Butte Russet
- Alpine Russet
- Alturas Russet
- Arcadia Russet
- Blazer Russet
- Canela Russet
- Castle Russet
- Classic Russet
- Clearwater Russet
- Defender Russet
- Echo Russet
- Galena Russet
- Gem Russet
- GemStar Russet
- Highland Russet
- King Russet
- La Belle Russet
- Lemhi Russet
- Mountain Gem Russet
- Nooksack Russet
- Norgold Russet
- Owyhee Russet
- Payette Russet
- Pioneer Russet
- Pomerelle Russet
- Premier Russet
- Reveille Russet
- Rio Grand Russet
- Sage Russet
- Targhee Russet
- Teton Russet
- Vanguard Russet
- Western Russet
Where Did Russet Potatoes Come From?
The most famous russet potato, the Russet Burbank, was developed by a plant expert named Luther Burbank. He wanted to create a potato that could better fight off diseases. This was especially important for Irish potatoes at the time. He created this new potato, but he couldn't get a patent for it. This was because plants grown from tubers, like potatoes, were not able to be patented in the United States back then.
How Are Russet Potatoes Used?
Russet potatoes are very popular, especially for making french fries. Big restaurants, like McDonald's, often choose russet potatoes. Their large size helps make those long, crispy fries that people love. The Russet Burbank variety was a top choice for McDonald's as of 2009.
These potatoes are also great for baking and mashing. This is because they have a lot of starch inside them. Starchy potatoes become fluffy and soft when cooked, which is perfect for a baked potato or creamy mashed potatoes.
