June 10, 2025
When building a standout menu, understanding your ingredients is key; few ingredients are as foundational as the humble potato. However, not all spuds are created equal. Whether you're running a casual bistro or an upscale farm-to-table restaurant, selecting the right type of potato matters.
Ready to expand your potato repertoire? Read this guide to the seven most common spuds and how to maximize their textures and flavors on your menu.
Cooking with Potatoes 101
From waxy to starchy, each potato has a specific use depending on its moisture and starch content. Choosing the right potato for your dish is important to deliver the perfect bite every time. Getting familiar with potato texture is the first step in mastering the art of cooking with potatoes!
Common Potato Textures and Cooking Applications
Potato flesh is broken down into three categories.
Starchy: Starchy potatoes are identified by their dry, almost mealy textures. The high starch levels allow the potato to absorb liquids and break down the crumbly insides when cooked.
- Texture: Dry, fluffy, and mealy
- Starch/Moisture Content: High starch, low moisture
- Cooking Characteristics: Absorbs liquids well; breaks down when cooked
- Best Uses: Mashing, frying, baking
Waxy: At the other end of the starch spectrum are waxy potato varieties. These varieties have high moisture content and minimal starch.
- Texture: Creamy flesh with thin skin; firm and smooth
- Starch/Moisture Content: Low starch, high moisture
- Cooking Characteristics: Holds shape when cooked
- Best Uses: Soups, stews, casseroles, potato salads
All-Purpose: These spuds fall in the middle between starchy and waxy. All-purpose potatoes have a medium amount of starch and water, which means they are used for a variety of applications.
- Texture: Balanced between fluffy and firm
- Starch/Moisture Content: Medium starch and moisture
- Cooking Characteristics: Versatile; suitable for most preparations
- Best Uses: Roasting, sautéing, baking, mashing
The 7 Types of Potatoes
At most wholesale grocery stores, you’ll typically find seven main varieties of potatoes. Each type has its own unique texture, flavor, and appearance—from smooth and waxy to dry and fluffy, from vibrant red skins to golden hues.
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1. Russet Potatoes
Russets are a classic starchy potato, prized for their fluffy interior and ability to develop a crisp outer skin when cooked. Their high starch and low moisture content make them ideal for dry-heat cooking methods like baking and frying.
- Texture: Starchy
- Skin and Size: Thick brown skin; large, oblong size
- Flavor Profile: Mild and earthy
- Classic Menu Item: Creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic
2. Red Potatoes
Red potatoes are firm, smooth, and hold their shape well after cooking, making them ideal for visually appealing dishes like salads or stews. Their thin skin adds color and texture with minimal prep required.
- Texture: Waxy
- Skin and Size: Red skin; medium round size
- Flavor Profile: Subtle and slightly sweet
- Classic Menu Item: Coq au Vin
3. Yellow Potatoes
Yellow potatoes offer a creamy, buttery texture that works across a variety of cooking methods. Their natural richness often reduces the need for added fats.
- Texture: All-Purpose
- Skin and Size: Yellow or golden skin; medium round size
- Flavor Profile: Buttery and rich
- Hearty Menu Item: Potato soup with white beans
4. White Potatoes
White potatoes are reliable, everyday workhorses in the kitchen. With moderate starch content, they’re versatile enough for both crisp and creamy preparations.
- Texture: All-Purpose
- Skin and Size: Smooth tan to light brown skin; small to medium size
- Flavor Profile: Mild and slightly sweet
- Brunch Menu Item: Pan-fried breakfast potatoes
5. Purple Potatoes
With deep purple skin and flesh, these eye-catching potatoes add a bold splash of color and a nutritious boost thanks to their antioxidant content. They hold their shape well and bring depth to refined or health-conscious dishes.
- Texture: Waxy
- Skin and Size: Deep purple skin and flesh; small to medium size
- Flavor Profile: Nutty and earthy
- Elevated Menu Item: Salade Niçoise
6. New Potatoes
New potatoes, also known as baby potatoes, are young spuds harvested before full maturity. Their delicate skin and subtle sweetness make them ideal for light, seasonal dishes.
- Texture: Waxy and moist
- Skin and Size: Thin skin; small and round
- Flavor profile: Delicate and fresh
- Luscious Plant-Based Menu Item: Tangy potato, herb, and pea salad
7. Fingerling Potatoes
Fingerlings are small, narrow potatoes with a unique, elongated shape. Their rich flavor and firm texture make them a favorite for upscale sides and small-plate presentations.
- Texture: Waxy
- Skin and Size: Thin skin; finger-like shape
- Flavor profile: Rich, nutty, and earthy
- Decadent Menu Item: Crispy duck fat fingerlings
Buy Potatoes In Bulk at Your Local Wholesale Grocery Store
No matter which potato variety you choose, the right ingredients make all the difference. At CHEF’STORE, you’ll find aisles stocked with incredible ingredients—from fresh produce and spices to grains, beverages, and more—all at bulk-store prices.
Visit one of our many locations today and see what we have in store for you.
DOWNLOAD OUR INFOGRAPHIC: 7 Different Types of Potatoes
