Skin on My Yellow Potatoes is Peeling and Flaky

Q:

I bought a bag of yellow No. 2 potatoes a few days ago on some of them it looks like the outside of the potato skin sort of peeled or flaky (like our skin when we peel after sun burn). The skin underneath looks fine, but I’m wondering if they are ok to eat.

A:

Our harvest hasn’t started yet so I’m guessing these are from California, Oregon or Washington, as they have a warmer climate and can start earlier. Our harvest starts up late August, but is mostly September and October. The potato skin has not set yet, which usually takes about thirty days. The skin can peel from abrasion of rubbing against other potatoes, dirt or machinery. They are perfectly fine to eat. The scientific term of this maturing process is called “suberization.”