Discussions

I would like to know where to buy potatoes that don't have a peculiar smell/taste? I have bought spuds everywhere across the city and they all stink!! Why are our potatoes so disappointing?  
 
The russets are usually okay but not good to throw in a stew etc.  
I do use the little gems but they are a pain to clean before using.  
 
Thanks for suggestions if you have any!!

Last potatoes I bought were from Co op (peak of the market) and they’ve been great.

Potatoes have been terrible all year. I haven't noticed a smell (unless there's one rotting in the bag), but invariably I'm cutting 1/2 the thing away because it's black. It doesn't seem to matter where I buy them, if they're A grade or B grade or what. And we eat A LOT of potatoes.  
 
Also, we're coming into the time of year where they're terrible anyway because they're all trying to grow because their internal timer says it's time, but are sprayed heavily to prevent it.  
 
In the past, I've gotten potatoes from Grand Valley Strawberries and they're usually pretty good. They're unwashed, so you spent time scrubbing them before even peeling them (a pain) but very little is wasted. The best potatoes are generally from Klassewoods Farm out by Austin. They're usually at the Green Spot every other Wednesday. Except I think they're out of potatoes now until the new crop comes in.

I will have to check GS when the time comes!  
Grand Valley? If the potatoes are good I don't mind washing the dirt off!  
I can't stand the taste of some potatoes, if they get frost and taste sweet at least that taste will go away. Not sure what that taste is but is can ruin a whole recipe!

The large potatoes are terrible in the winter from the stores. We stick to the little gems for the most part until fresh ones are available.

I've been saying that the potato farmers are now cleaning out the bottom of their storage bins. Many potatoes are small & have quite a bit of rot. They are never nice from the stores at this time of year.  
 
Abbysmum is right. Potatoes in store are heavily sprayed with a chemical that is supposed to stop them from growing (the Sobeys warehouse potatoes packaging specified it). I suspect that could be part of what you are tasting as it naturally would not be present on a potato.  
 
I had forgotten about GVS for potatoes. I didn't like scrubbing them either...GV dirt seemed to stick exceptionally well, but dirt is what keeps potatoes good. I remember that theirs were quite damaged/cut from digging. Cuts rot and ruin the potato.  
 
This conversation makes me wonder if Peters Market Garden by Virden has any left. We were pleased with all of their produce.

Yeah, now that you mention it they do have some like that. They weren't many though whenever I get them. Maybe it depends on the year or the run? Or the fact that they're not picked over as much as the store bought ones? Even the cut ones were okay to eat still.  
 
I'm attempting to grow potatoes this year in pails. I've had some success in prior years growing in different receptacles, but I'm going whole hog this time around. I canned some Klassen potatoes last fall too... they were good (my kids love canned potatoes... I can take them or leave them, but they were sure better than what I was getting in the store this winter). I plant to canning more this year.

Yes store bought we have found not the best too!! We usually get ours from friends on a farm!! Have a great day !!

The further away you get from August the worse they'll be.  
 
The best thing is to feel the potatoes in the store to see if they're soft. Buying individual potatoes might be better than buying an entire bag.

I think the stores need to educate their staff that spuds bruise very easily and need gentle handling. They also need to be kept cooler and not under bright lights which causes them to turn green ( a chemical called Solanine) which is toxic and creates a hard part that does not cook properly.  
Seems most bags we buy have at least one damaged , cut/bruised potato which tends to make the whole lot go off quicker.  
No one brand seems better than any other.

half the problem is all the chemicals they use in the feild and then spray them whan put in potatoe sheds to try to perseve them. ever googled berbank poetatoes you would never eat them again if you seen all the chemicals best to buy fresh when can or from a local gardner not using all that crap to perseve them. off the subject french fries lots of chemicals mc ds fries 15 chemicals to produce. the supplyers dont let us know what they use