Potatoes: The Unsung Hero of Christmas

The Savills Blog

Potatoes: The unsung hero of Christmas

Whether preferred mashed, roasted or simply boiled, potatoes play a large part in our diets and in one guise or another are likely to feature on the Christmas dinner table.

Their variety and rich history make them a key part of holiday traditions.

Potato History and Christmas Traditions

Potatoes, first cultivated in the Andes mountains about 10,000 years ago, eventually made their way across to Europe during the 1570s. Potatoes proved extremely adaptable to the UK’s climate and varying soil conditions. They were capable of growing in less than ideal situations which meant they were quickly adopted by the lower socio-economic classes before growing in popularity with everyone.

Potatoes have long been a Christmas staple in certain cultures, especially in regions where they are a major crop. However, they weren’t part of the Christmas menu in England until introduced by Queen Victoria during her reign.

During Hanukkah celebrations, which this year start at nightfall on the 25 December, Latkes (crispy fried potato cakes) are often eaten, the oil they are fried in symbolising the miracle of the cruse of oil lasting eight days in the temple. Due to their affordability and versatility, many potato-related customs can be found across Europe; Germany has the tradition of using potatoes as candle holders and homemade wreaths during Advent whereas in Iceland children place a shoe on their windowsill, with the ‘Yule Lads’ leaving gifts for those who have behaved, and rotten potatoes for the naughty ones.

Spud-tacular Facts
  • The UK’s potato consumption peaked in 2017, with the average person eating 103kg of potatoes annually, that’s 500 medium sized spuds
  • A roast potato will undergo the Maillard reaction, a complex process involving many small chemical reactions that occur when proteins and sugars in food are heated, resulting in golden crispy tatties
  • In October 1995, the potato became the first vegetable to be grown in space
  • The world’s heaviest potato weighing 4.98 kilograms was grown in Somerset, England  
  • Potatoes are 80% water and only 20% solid.
Potato farming in the UK

Potatoes are known as tubers and grow under the ground, usually planted in spring with harvest from June to the end of October. There are over 80 different potato varieties grown commercially in the UK, the main three types being:

  1. Earlies – Referring to early-maturing potatoes harvested earlier in the growing season. Their thin waxy skin makes them ideal salad potatoes, good for steaming and boiling. Common varieties are Maris Peer and Charlotte.
  2. Processing - These are potatoes specifically grown for industrial processing into products like crisps and chips. 
  3. Fresh Market - These are potatoes grown for direct sale to supermarkets for people to cook at home.

Fluffy potatoes like Maris Piper and Rooster are good for roasting and baking whereas smooth potatoes like Lanorma and Mozart are best for mashing or making wedges.

Of the potatoes grown in the UK about 63% are produced in England, 23% in Scotland, 9% in Northern Ireland and 5% in Wales. The UK is largely self-sufficient in potato production, with over 80% of the potatoes consumed sourced from local production, with the rest being supplemented by imports to fill seasonal gaps or niche demands.

In 2023, the volume of harvested potato production in the UK reached approximately 4.7 million tonnes. A significant portion of which is grown for the festive season, with Christmas meals being a major driver of demand. The UK also exports potatoes in times of high supply, in August 2024 exports accounted for up to £7.33 million and were exported mostly to Ireland, Germany, Spain, Belgium and France.

Recent challenges, including heavy rainfall and droughts, rising energy and fertiliser costs and the loss of access to some export markets, have made potato farming more difficult, threatening this beloved crop's supply during key seasons like Christmas.

Health and sustainability

Often overlooked for their nutrition, potatoes provide approximately 15% of our Vitamin C intake and they top bananas in potassium content: a medium banana contains roughly 450mg, while a medium baked potato contains 750mg.

Potatoes aren’t just delicious; they can be farmed with a low environmental impact and be consumed with low waste. The UK's potato production, particularly in Scotland, is often highlighted for its sustainable practices and efficient water use through harnessing natural irrigation systems and embracing technologies for precision agriculture. Please refer to our recent Food and the Environment and Water spotlights for more on these topics. You can get creative when reducing food waste by transforming leftover mashed potatoes into fluffy pancakes or gnocchi, baking the potato skins for a snack or even repurposing dried potato slices into festive ornaments.

In every way, potatoes truly shine throughout Christmas. From their historic roots to their vital role in modern traditions, they remind us of the importance of sustainability, resourcefulness, and nutrition. As we embrace this holiday season, we can appreciate the versatility of this humble vegetable and recognise the hard work of the growers who support the UK’s potato industry.

Further information

Contact Jordan Rimmer or Duncan Winspear

 

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