There are several thousand varieties of potatoes worldwide, so choosing is not easy. With this variety, it is worth taking a closer look at the properties and requirements of individual varieties. The more adapted a potato variety is to its location, the larger the harvest. The potatoes differ, for example, in taste, consistency when cooking and in color. Red-skinned varieties in particular have become increasingly popular in recent years.
Red Potatoes
At first glance, the red-skinned potato does not differ from other yellow or blue varieties. Similar to yellow potatoes, there are waxy and mealy as well as early and late cultivated forms. However, when it comes to the health factor, a red-skinned variety has an advantage because it has significantly more pigments.
The more pigments a fruit has, the more it protects human cells. These pigments, called anthocyanins, bind free radicals and thereby prevent cells from aging too quickly. It is therefore not only an advantage if the skin is red, but also if the meat has a reddish tinge.
Varieties with light flesh
The most common variants of the red potato are those with a red skin and light yellow to whitish flesh. The selection of varieties is very large, which is why it is not always easy to keep track of them. Most of the potato varieties are waxy and tend to ripen earlier.
From A - C
asterix
Many children prick up their ears when they hear the name "Asterix" and the variety is a good way to make the potato tasty for children due to the funny name. In its kind, it is characterized above all by a high yield. It has a very good taste and is resistant to the dreaded late blight.
- medium late ripe
- sticky
Ballwitzer red roller
The "Ballwitzer Rotwalze" is a red-skinned variety that has been increasingly forgotten in recent years. It is rarely found in the list of red potatoes because the skin is very difficult to remove. Because this strain does not have a smooth surface and deep eyes, which makes it appear rather bulky. However, it is a very versatile strain. Their flesh is predominantly creamy yellow with light reddish veins.
- late ripe
- predominantly waxy to somewhat mealy
cheyenne
The "Cheyenne" variety is a new variety that has only been on the market for a few years. She comes from France and was bred for high yield and good storage qualities. The taste with an intensive potato aroma was not forgotten. The variety could definitely compete with the popular Laura in the next few years.
- medium early ripe
- sticky
cherie
"Cherie" is a variety that cannot be stored, but can be eaten with the tender skin. It is very easy to grow and care for and matures early.
- very precocious
- mostly sticky
tip: If the cultivation of very early maturing potatoes is started early in the year, a second early maturing variety can even be planted again.
From K - L
Canary Peluca
The "Canary Peluca" is a variety that often arouses delight when looking at it because of its colour. It is patterned red to burgundy and has a fine buttery taste. Its original home is the Canary Islands, which is why it prefers very warm climates. In return, it is less demanding in terms of casting. It is very suitable for storage.
- ripe very late
- mainly mealy to slightly sticky
Kerr's Pink
Kerr's Pink is a very popular variety, especially in Ireland and is therefore often referred to as the "Irish potato". It has an intense pink skin but is susceptible to disease. It is mainly suitable for mashed potatoes or potato dough.
- late ripe
- mealy
laura
The Laura variety is the most popular red potato. It is characterized above all by its good shelf life and retains its consistency when cooking. This makes it ideal for casseroles or stews. But also as a potato salad, it is not only a tasty choice, but also visually interesting, since a reddish color remains on the outer edge after cooking.
- early to mid-ripe
- mostly sticky
Linz rose
The "Linzer Rose" is a red variety that is particularly common in Austria. It has a very nice creamy yellow flesh and an intense potato flavor. It has excellent storage properties, which is particularly evident in the long dormancy.
- early to medium ripe
- mostly sticky
From P - S
PeachBloom
Peach Bloom is not a pure red potato variety, but has a reddish-yellow marbled skin. This makes it particularly attractive as a baked potato. Peach Bloom is a very old variety, which is characterized above all by its excellent taste. In addition, it is one of the potato varieties that are very undemanding in cultivation.
- early to medium ripe
- mealy
Red King Edward VII
The "Red King Edward VII" variety is characterized above all by large tubers if it has nutrient-rich soil. Due to its size, it is suitable as a jacket potato, which also scores points with its red skin. However, for good yields, it is not only tied to nutrient-rich soil, but also to a constant supply of water
* very late ripe
* predominantly waxy
sputnik
The name "Sputnik" is not a coincidence; potato varieties are also based on well-known names. In this case, it's a reminder of the first satellite launched in 1960. The variety originally comes from Poland and is characterized above all by its pleasant mouthfeel when eating.
- early ripe
- mostly sticky
Potato varieties with red pulp
The list of potato varieties seems almost endless and there are red varieties that not only have a reddish hue on the skin, but also have shades of red on the inside.
Highland Burgundy Red
The "Highland Burgundy Red" potato variety comes from Scotland and has been on the market since around 1902. It is considered a real rarity among potato fans because of its color. Due to its smooth shell, it can also be processed in many ways.
- medium late ripe
- mealy
heather red
The Heiderot variety should also not be missing from the overview of red-fleshed potato varieties. It is a typical garden potato that requires a lot of care. For this, gardeners are rewarded with a rich harvest.
- medium late ripe
- sticky
royal purple
The Königpurpur variety is also a very old breed. It has been available since 1860 and impresses above all with its nutty aroma.
- medium to early ripe
- mostly sticky
Magenta love
Red-skinned varieties are easy to grow, a red-fleshed variety is much more difficult. New breeds are rare, as is the “Magenta Love” variety. It hasn't been on the market for long, but it is characterized above all by the intense red color of the skin and flesh. It has a very subtle aroma, which makes it versatile. Chips made from these potatoes are particularly eye-catching, but they also cut a fine figure as a potato salad.
- medium late ripe
- sticky
Red Salad Potato
As the name suggests, Red Salad Potato is very suitable as a salad potato. It is elongated to oval and therefore very easy to cut. However, the tubers generally remain very small, which often means that they no longer have to be laboriously cut.
- late ripe
- sticky
Kefermarkt breeding line
The "Kefermarkter breeding line" is a red cultivar from Austria. Their flesh is reddish with white marbling. It is mainly cultivated in rougher areas of Austria and is therefore well adapted to somewhat less warm climates. The red-skinned variety retains its red color both inside and out after cooking.
- medium early ripening
- sticky
tip: Do not cook red-skinned potatoes at too high a temperature. This ensures that the reddish color is better preserved.
Culture of red-skinned potatoes
Red potatoes are similar to their yellow relatives in many ways, but they are a little more difficult to care for. Almost all varieties need very nutrient-rich soil so that they can develop beautiful tubers. In addition, they must be supplied with sufficient water, especially in the sensitive germination phase until flowering. Otherwise, not only are the tubers significantly smaller, but the potatoes generally produce less. Yellow-skinned varieties are much more robust here.