Desiree is a red-skinned maincrop potato bred in the Netherlands and released in 1962, now one of the most widely grown red potatoes in the world. The oval tubers have smooth rose-red skin and pale yellow flesh with a firm, lightly waxy texture that makes them genuinely all-purpose: they boil, roast, mash, and fry well and hold together in stews. Desiree is prized for heavy yields and notable drought tolerance, performing well in drier conditions where other varieties struggle. It stores well and shows reasonable resistance to drought-related problems and some diseases. The combination of attractive red skin, dependable cooking quality, and resilience has kept it a global favorite for decades.
Flavor Profile
Firm, creamy, mildly savory yellow flesh; genuinely all-purpose, good boiled, roasted, or mashed.
Visual Characteristics
Oval tubers with smooth rose-red skin and pale yellow flesh.
Growing Tips
One of the more drought-tolerant potatoes; performs in drier soils. Maincrop that stores well.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.