King Edward potato
Encyclopedia
King Edward potatoes, like the majority of European and North American potato
varieties, are derivatives of the 'Rough Purple Chili' which was used as breeding stock after the 1840s Irish potato famine. The King Edward potato
is one of the oldest of these varieties.
The plant is upright and tall with numerous stems and small green leaves. Its flowers are purple with white tipped petals.
, Lincolnshire
, and introduced to Britain
in 1902. It is one of the oldest surviving varieties in Europe.
The Coronation of King Edward VII
in 1902 coincided with the introduction of this variety of potato and its name is believed to originate as a 'commemoration' of this occasion.
It is suitable to be grown commercially or in the allotment
and can even be grown in pots, although smaller ‘first early’ varieties are a more advisable choice for pot cultivation.
To do well, King Edwards require soil that is rich in humus (farm-yard manure
/compost
) in combination with feeding via a general fertiliser. It is also advisable to ensure plenty of watering during dry periods.
Suggested spacing in a traditional plot is at a depth of 4";
spacing in row - 12-16"; width between rows - 28-30".
It is very resistant to potato scab and offers some resistance to potato blight but is susceptible to potato cyst nematode
.
King Edwards are not particularly prolific in terms of yield, but many people still grow them for their floury texture and their taste.
and baking
; although, it is also suitable for chipping, sautéing and steaming
. It has been specially identified by Delia Smith
as being the best potato with which to make gnocchi
.
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
varieties, are derivatives of the 'Rough Purple Chili' which was used as breeding stock after the 1840s Irish potato famine. The King Edward potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
is one of the oldest of these varieties.
Appearance
The King Edward potato is predominately white skinned with pink colouration. It is mostly oval in shape with a floury texture and shallow eyes.The plant is upright and tall with numerous stems and small green leaves. Its flowers are purple with white tipped petals.
History
It was developed by John Butler of ScotterScotter
Scotter is a large village and civil parish in West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England, situated between Scunthorpe and Gainsborough.-Geography:The A159 road, which connects the two towns, crosses the River Eau in the village...
, Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire
Lincolnshire is a county in the east of England. It borders Norfolk to the south east, Cambridgeshire to the south, Rutland to the south west, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire to the west, South Yorkshire to the north west, and the East Riding of Yorkshire to the north. It also borders...
, and introduced to Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1902. It is one of the oldest surviving varieties in Europe.
The Coronation of King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
in 1902 coincided with the introduction of this variety of potato and its name is believed to originate as a 'commemoration' of this occasion.
Cultivating
The King Edward potato is a main crop; in the UK it is traditionally planted in April for harvest in September.It is suitable to be grown commercially or in the allotment
Allotment (gardening)
An allotment garden, often called simply an allotment, is a plot of land made available for individual, non-professional gardening. Such plots are formed by subdividing a piece of land into a few or up to several hundreds of land parcels that are assigned to individuals or families...
and can even be grown in pots, although smaller ‘first early’ varieties are a more advisable choice for pot cultivation.
To do well, King Edwards require soil that is rich in humus (farm-yard manure
Manure
Manure is organic matter used as organic fertilizer in agriculture. Manures contribute to the fertility of the soil by adding organic matter and nutrients, such as nitrogen, that are trapped by bacteria in the soil...
/compost
Compost
Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. At its most essential, the process of composting requires simply piling up waste outdoors and waiting for the materials to break down from anywhere...
) in combination with feeding via a general fertiliser. It is also advisable to ensure plenty of watering during dry periods.
Suggested spacing in a traditional plot is at a depth of 4";
spacing in row - 12-16"; width between rows - 28-30".
It is very resistant to potato scab and offers some resistance to potato blight but is susceptible to potato cyst nematode
Potato cyst nematode
Potato root nematodes or potato cyst nematodes are 1-mm long roundworms belonging to the genus Globodera, which comprises around 12 species. They live on the roots of plants of the Solanaceae family, such as potatoes and tomatoes. PCN cause growth retardation and, at very high population...
.
King Edwards are not particularly prolific in terms of yield, but many people still grow them for their floury texture and their taste.
Culinary
The King Edward has a variety of culinary uses and is renowned for its light fluffy texture, for this reason it is particularly suitable for roastingRoasting
Roasting is a cooking method that uses dry heat, whether an open flame, oven, or other heat source. Roasting usually causes caramelization or Maillard browning of the surface of the food, which is considered by some as a flavor enhancement. Roasting uses more indirect, diffused heat , and is...
and baking
Baking
Baking is the technique of prolonged cooking of food by dry heat acting by convection, and not by radiation, normally in an oven, but also in hot ashes, or on hot stones. It is primarily used for the preparation of bread, cakes, pastries and pies, tarts, quiches, cookies and crackers. Such items...
; although, it is also suitable for chipping, sautéing and steaming
Steaming
Steaming is a method of cooking using steam. Steaming is considered a healthy cooking technique and capable of cooking almost all kinds of food.-Method:...
. It has been specially identified by Delia Smith
Delia Smith
Delia Smith CBE is an English cook and television presenter, known for teaching basic cookery skills. She is the UK's best-selling cookery author, with more than 21 million copies sold....
as being the best potato with which to make gnocchi
Gnocchi
Gnocchi are various thick, soft dumplings. They may be made from semolina, ordinary wheat flour, flour and egg, flour, egg, and cheese, potato, bread crumbs, or similar ingredients. The smaller forms are called gnocchetti....
.