Description
Experience the creamy texture and rich flavor of our Maris Piper potatoes, ideal for roasting, mashing, frying, or baking, ensuring delicious results every time. Available in our Local Farm Shop in Bellaghy, Mid Ulster Area.
🥔 Maris Piper potatoes are one of the UK’s most beloved and widely grown potato varieties, prized for their versatility and fluffy texture. Here’s a full breakdown of what makes them special:
🌱 Origin & History
- Developed in Cambridge, UK, in 1956 and released commercially in 1966
- Bred to resist potato cyst nematode (Globodera rostochiensis), a major pest at the time
- Named after Maris Lane, where the Plant Breeding Institute was located, and “Piper” was chosen by the breeder’s son
🧑🍳 Culinary Qualities
- Golden skin with cream-white flesh
- High dry matter content, which gives them a fluffy interior and crisp exterior when cooked
- Mild, earthy, and slightly buttery flavor
- Ideal for:
- Chips (fries) – a favorite for fish and chips
- Roast potatoes – praised by chefs like Heston Blumenthal
- Mashed potatoes – smooth and creamy
- Also suitable for baking, steaming, and boiling
🌿 Growing Characteristics
- Maincrop variety – planted in spring and harvested late summer to autumn
- Tall plants with violet flowers
- Produces uniform, oval-shaped tubers with shallow eyes – easy to peel
- Yields are high, often 50–60 tonnes per hectare
🛡️ Disease & Pest Resistance
- Strong resistance to Globodera rostochiensis
- Low resistance to slugs and common scab, so careful irrigation is needed during tuber formation
- Medium resistance to late blight, blackleg, and skin spot
📦 Storage & Availability
- Stores well due to high dry matter
- Available year-round in UK supermarkets and markets
