The Désirée is a red-skinned main croppotato originally bred in the Netherlands in 1962. It has a red skin and yellow flesh with a distinctive flavour.[4] It is a favourite with allotment-holders because of its resistance to drought, although it is not well suited to organic growing. It is a versatile, fairly waxy variety which is firm and holds its shape and useful for all methods of cooking; from roasting to mashing and salads.
Its recent popularity in the UK is attributed to TV chef Delia Smith.
Habit: Medium height, later spreading
Foliage: Medium to dark grey-green. Strong purple colour throughout plant.
Stems numerous, purple.
Leaf rigid, open, slightly arched.
Leaflets oval, pointed.
Secondaries few.
Buds/Flowers: Buds large, red-purple on hairy stalks. Flowers red-violet fading to white.
Examples[]
Flowers on a désirée plant
Shop-bought désirée potatoes
References[]
↑Potato Cyst Nematode (Globodera pallida Pa 2/3, 1)
