Epicure Potatoes
Epicure new potatoes are my favourite variety without a doubt.
They are not easy to find nowadays, but thanks to the internet I was able to do a word search and hunt some down from Mr Fothergills website. They are an old Scottish potato which was popular in the 1950s and I used to grow this variety and nothing else when I was growing up, helping my Dad on his allotment.
Described in the catalogues as 'floury' texture (as opposed to waxy) I couldn't disagree more. Perhaps the definition of floury or waxy is not as obvious as it sounds. These are a lovely, dense new potato with the best flavour in the world. Take a tip from Matron - hunt them down and try them for yourself!
posted by Matron @ 9:49 PM
15 Comments:
As a Scottish lass I agree with you about the texture and the flavour. One I grow quite often. Enjoy!
So happy you were able to find these Matron. If you like the taste and texture that's all that matters...can't wait to see them when you dig them up!
Surprisingly, Matron, Epicure is a Hampshire potato - but very popular in Scotland. I grow it every year and agree about the flavour - but have opted for Swift (a Jack Dunnet variety) this year.
Stop that, Matron! I have all the seed potatoes that I need from the spud day at Ryton! (and yes, I could have bought Epicure there, but I didn't!)
If you'd be so kind as to make potato recommenations before the end of Jan next year, I would be most grateful. Thank you. ;)
Actually, if you are good, and remind me, I will grow a couple of Epicure at the Hill next year and do you a swap of the harvest, then we can see how much the taste of the potato is down to the growing - your London clay vs my light-improved-with-pony-poo-for-many-years. :)
I was determined to track these down too - as I heard they were used for 'Ayrshire new potatoes' which I looked forward to all year when I was growing up. The town I grew up in was actually called 'tattie toon' and you could easily get them fresh from the field at the right time of year.
I got mine at J.B.A Seed Potatoes (I won't link spam you, a quick google would easily find 'em) and I can't wait to get them started. I'm even trying to find somewhere I can get whole sheets of seaweed to fertilise with as this was supposedly the traditional way they were grown up here and I'd like to try it at least once.
Hope yours do well!
Excellent that you were able to track some seed potatoes down. I hope they perform well for you.
Ooooh! I'll have to look out for some of those! Thanks for the tip :-) Love 'n' hugs, Mel xx
I'll remember these for next year, I've got all I've got room for this year.
The description would have put me off Matron - I like a waxy new spud. Descriptions like these of texture(and of flavour) are very subjective. You can't beat trying things for yourself.
Matron- so gald that you found an old favorite. I haven't ever heard of that variety over here in the US. I hope that do well for you and taste as good as you remember!
Brilliant - reminded me that my dad used to grow Epicure on his allotment when I was a child.
I like a floury pot - but then again I like any kind of potato that is delicious!
I've been catching up on blogs and just read about you losing Buddy. It's so sad but I'm sure you gave him the best years of his life after rescuing him and he was one of the happiest, most loved and cared for dogs possible. XX
Hi, I tried these for the first time this year. I bought them as the description was floury and indeed this is how they turned out, but I was disappointed with the flavour. Maybe it's the soil. . . Very sandy and gritty, and therefore free draining here in my part of Cambridge. Although I do add lots of compost.
I grow Epicure in Edinburgh and apart from being a great all round potato THEY MAKE THE BEST CHIPS yes it was a surprise to me too.
Is Matron a spud then!
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