Boring mashed potato is a thing of the past at Wendy and Terrence Rattray’s house.
The couple’s Tasmanian-grown potatoes are now being used by top chefs and home cooks across the country and overseas to add colour to their dishes.
The Rattrays operate their Yum Tasmania Gourmet Potatoes business at Pyengana, in the state’s North-East, and grow about 20 different varieties.
Bright pink, purple and yellow potatoes are now part of the Yum range, after the Rattrays spent six years introducing new varieties.
Some of the newest additions to the range include Red Foos, Peruvian Gold and the spectacular Purple Bliss.
“It annoys me when people say spuds are just spuds,” Mrs Rattray said.
“There are literally hundreds of different varieties and some of the colours are just amazing.
“Chefs are always looking for something new and, because of these cooking shows on TV, a lot of people are getting more adventurous with their food and they’re looking for something a bit different to cook for dinner.”
While tucking into a pile of bright pink mashed potato might not be for everyone, Mrs Rattray said the new varieties do not disappoint when it comes to taste.
“When you first start cooking with them, they look very different. But they taste just as good as the white or yellow spuds and some are even better,” she said.
“There are some spuds that are better for mashing and others that are good for baking, it just depends what you want to use them for.”
The couple still grow the more traditional varieties including Dutch Creams, Nicolas and the popular Kipflers.
Wendy Rattray with some of the potatoes grown at the family's Yum Tasmania Gourmet Potatoes business. Pictures: Karolin MacGregor
They also produce a range of organic potatoes on their property at Pyengana.
Most of their crops, however, are grown on properties across the north where they lease paddocks each year.
“We still use the organic principles for all our crops and try to keep inputs to a minimum,” Mrs Rattray said.
“Some of these new varieties are a bit more temperamental than the traditional ones, but Terrance has the growing side of things worked out.”
The couple has also ventured into the export market and are now sending some of their potatoes to Singapore, Korea and Dubai.
