Russet Burbank potato

Organic russet Burbank potatoes

Idaho russet potatoes

The russet Burbank potato is a large potato cultivar with dark brown skin and few eyes. Its flesh is white, dry, and mealy, and it is good for baking, mashing, and french fries. It is a common and popular potato.

Origin

This variety is probably a mutation of the variety "Burbank," which in turn is descended from the "Early Rose" variety, descended from the Irish potato "Ulster Ranger," descended from a South American potato, presumably of Chilean origin, introduced from Panama to the United States in 1850, named "Rough Purple Chile."

To improve the disease resistance of Irish potatoes, Luther Burbank selected the potato that became known as the Burbank. It was not patented because plants such as potatoes propagated from tubers, were not granted patents in the United States. The Idaho nickname is after the U.S. state, a leading growing region. In Canada, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Manitoba produce potatoes.

Varieties with high levels of starch are most suited to baking and mashing. The UK generally uses the 'Maris Piper' variety.

Restaurant use

Restaurants such as McDonald's use russet potatoes for their size, which produce long pieces suitable for french fries. Presently, McDonald's top supplier uses the russet Burbank. The russet Burbank is more expensive than other potatoes, as it consumes more water and takes longer to mature, while it also requires large amounts of pesticides. Controversy surfaced after research concluded that the potato is treated with amounts of pesticides which are allegedly environmentally toxic; the potatoes also have a short shelf life. M.C.S