Idaho Grows More Than Just Russets

Idaho grows many varieties of potatoes

When most people picture an Idaho® potato, they picture a russet – that familiar large, brown-skinned potato with the fluffy interior that makes the perfect baked potato or a bowl of silky mashed potatoes. And while russets have rightfully earned their place as Idaho's most iconic variety, they represent only a fraction of what Idaho's farms actually produce. Idaho grows more than 30 different varieties of potatoes, each with its own distinct texture, flavor profile, and ideal culinary application. Gold potatoes bring a naturally buttery, creamy quality that makes them exceptional for roasting and potato salads. Red potatoes hold their shape beautifully under heat, making them a reliable choice for soups, stews, and skillet dishes.

Fingerlings, with their thin skin and earthy, nuanced flavor, have become a favorite among home cooks and professional chefs alike for their versatility and visual appeal. The diversity is genuine, and it opens up a range of culinary possibilities that go far beyond the classic baked potato.

Understanding the Idaho® potato name is just as important as knowing the varieties it represents. "Idaho®" refers specifically to where the potato was grown, not to the variety itself. This is a distinction that matters. Not every potato grown in Idaho is a russet, and not every russet on the market was grown in Idaho. Only potatoes grown within the state of Idaho under its specific agricultural conditions are permitted to carry the Idaho® potato name and seal. This geographic designation exists because Idaho's unique combination of rich volcanic soil, a high-desert climate, and pure mountain water produces growing conditions that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. Those conditions are what give Idaho® potatoes, regardless of variety, their consistent quality, reliable texture, and dependable performance in the kitchen.

Bottom line: Variety matters, and Idaho delivers more than russets.