The Best Irish Potato Candy Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular Irish potato? ›

The Rooster has quickly become the most popular fresh ware potato variety in Ireland, accounting for almost 6 in 10 potatoes grown and sold in Ireland.

The candies have a coconut cream inside (generally made from some blend of coconut, confectioner's sugar, vanilla, and cream or cream cheese) and are rolled in cinnamon on the outside, resulting in an appearance reminiscent of small potatoes.

While both types of potatoes can be a healthy part of your diet, sweet potatoes are higher in nutrients like vitamin A that may offer extra benefits for your overall health. There are many similarities between potatoes and sweet potatoes.

With a pleasant floury texture, Maris Piper is ideal for many dishes from chips and roasties to mash and wedges. A favourite with fish and chip shops because of its reliability and taste. It has a creamy coloured flesh with a light yellow skin.

Ireland's primary potato variety of yore, the Irish Lumper, is a white potato that is more waxy than starchy, and so mashed potatoes made from these varieties fare better as smashed, rather than emulsified, providing ideal conditions for hearty mix-ins.

The Irish language is very descriptive the common word for potato in Irish is práta (pl. prátaí), hence the origin of Praties for Potatoes, There are literally 50 Irish words and descriptive phrases relating to the potato.

The Roots of Irish Potato Candy:

Contrary to its name, Irish Potato Candy contains no potatoes. This sweet creation is more about clever confectionery than tubers. Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when Irish immigrants in Philadelphia sought to celebrate their heritage in the United States.

It's believed that Irish potato candy originated in Philadelphia some time in the late 19th or early 20th century. Although there was a large Irish community in Philadelphia at that time, there's no proof that it was a person of Irish origin of who invented this candy.

Despite the name, Irish potato candies don't have origins in Ireland. They were invented by Irish immigrants in Philadelphia—a candy-making capital in the early 20th century—likely in the 1800s or early 1900s, a time when the city was experiencing a huge influx of Irish immigrants.

Consuming potassium-rich foods like Irish potatoes can help reduce the risk of hypertension and lower the chances of heart disease and stroke. Immune System Support: Irish potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is known for its immune-boosting properties.

Which potatoes are healthiest for diabetics? ›

Best type of potatoes for diabetes

Sweet potatoes are one of the best types of potato for people with diabetes, as they are low-GI and contain more fiber than white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of calcium and vitamin A. Carisma potatoes, a variety of white potato, are another lower-GI option.

You can still eat sweet potatoes if you have diabetes, assures Huff. The fiber content in sweet potatoes, especially if you consume them with the skin on, can help reduce spikes in your blood sugar. Plus, how you cook your sweet potatoes can also help reduce the extent to which your blood sugar rises.

Our World Famous Fries® are made from quality potatoes, including Russet Burbank, Ranger Russet, Umatilla Russet and the Shepody. The suppliers we work with first peel, cut and blanche the potatoes. They then dry, partially fry and quickly freeze the fries for our restaurants.

🍟 Rule #8: Chips = Crisps.

Irish people call potato chips 'crisps'. Are you a potato chip lover? Don't leave Ireland without trying Cheese and Onion flavour 'crisps'. It's an unmistakably Irish snack.

Kerr's Pink is a potato in wide production in Ireland, often quoted as an “Irish potato” where it was introduced in 1917. In 2002 it accounted for 25% of potato production in the Ireland making it the nation's second largest variety.

1. Russet. Russets are the holy grail of starchy potatoes, as they are the most popular potato in their category. They are often the largest in size when compared to other potato types.

In the industry and with USDA, russets are often referred to as 'white' potatoes. Russets are the primary variety group grown in Idaho, representing approximately 50% of the 315,000 acres grown annually. Ireland grows numerous potato varieties. The country is partial to their yellow and red skin varieties.