🥔 Potatoes
Potatoes are a year-round kitchen staple with relatively stable pricing, but quality peaks in late autumn through winter, when freshly harvested local supply hits the market. Choosing the right potato for the job is essential — not all varieties perform the same in the kitchen.
All-rounders like Desiree and Sebago are reliable across most cooking methods, but if you're making chips, you'll want a high-starch, low-moisture variety such as Russet Burbank or King Edward for that perfect crisp. For mash, go for creamy, rich varieties like Yukon Gold and Dutch Cream. Waxy types such as Kipfler and Nadine are ideal for boiling, poaching, or potato salads, where shape and texture matter.
Peak Season: Late Autumn to Winter
Off Season: Available year-round, though stored potatoes may have lower moisture and flavour
Common & readily available varieties: Desiree, Sebago, Dutch Cream, King Edward, Kipfler, Nadine
Specialty Varieties: Russet Burbank, Yukon Gold, Pink Fir Apple, Purple Congo, Kennebec
Storage tips: Keep potatoes in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space. Avoid storing near onions, which can accelerate spoilage. Do not refrigerate — cold temps can convert starch to sugar and affect texture and taste.
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.
POTATOES | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sebago | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
Desiree | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
Dutch Cream | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
King Edward | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
Kipfler | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
Nadine | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟡 Good |
Russet Burbank | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
Yukon Gold | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
Purple Congo | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
Pink Fir Apple | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
Kennebec | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟡 Good | 🟠 OK |