The Complete Jersey Royals Story Behind Britain’s Favourite Potato
An island with a rich farming community and agricultural heritage, Jersey is renowned for its incredible produce with rich flavour profiles and unique varieties. However, no produce grown on the island is as popular or famous as the iconic potato known as the Jersey Royal. This unique new potato has a reputation not only in Jersey but across the UK and beyond with the potato itself the only one in the UK with an EU Protected Designation of Origin status. For a potato that was grown from a fluke, Jersey Royals have become the most exported produce on the island, have been an award-winning produce for decades and are one of the most popular potatoes across the Channel Islands, the UK and even corners of the EU.
New Potatoes Jersey
Traditionally grown on the south-facing slopes of Jersey, known as cotils, Jersey Royals are a unique type of new potato. A variety of potato known as International Kidney, Jersey Royals are grown in a milder climate with seaweed-enriched soil and also harvested young, typically between the months of March and July, to deliver a potato renowned for its firm bite and concentrated flavour. Considered to be a truly unique spud, they are the only potato in the UK with an EU Protected Designation of Origin Status. They are the most popular produce grown on the island, as well as Jersey’s highest export, making the Jersey Royal so much more than just a Jersey new potato.
The History of Jersey Royals
Potatoes have been grown on the island of Jersey for centuries but in 1878, a local farmer named Hugh de la Haye grew the Jersey Royal by fluke. He stumbled upon two exceptionally large potatoes in a local store, which he purchased before inviting friends to dinner that evening. After dinner, he presented the potatoes to his companions, one of which boasted 15 ‘eyes’ from which new plants grow. The friends cut the potato into fifteen pieces, taking the pieces to be planted on a steep cotil in the Bellozane Valley. The following spring, the fields produced a large and early crop but while many of the plants were standard potatoes, by chance, one crop that grew was a unique variety of potato with an unusual kidney shape and delightful flavour. Christened the ‘Jersey Royal Fluke’ by a local newspaper, the island’s potato history changed from that point on. Hugh de la Haye was later honoured for his incredible farming efforts, even if it was mainly a fluke, at a formal gathering with a testimonial where he was also presented with a purse of gold sovereigns.
After a couple of years delighting the taste buds of the island locals, Jersey Royals were introduced to British markets in 1880 as a spring variety. By 1900, they gained mass popularity and began exportation to the UK and beyond. Queen Victoria also sampled and approved of the Jersey Royal, further boosting the reputation of these impressive spuds. Over the years, this potato variety was nurtured to enhance its flavour profile until it became the most popular potato on the island, the largest export and now accounts for more than half of the island’s agricultural income. In 1997, their unique identity was ensured by being awarded the EU Protected Designation of Origin Status.
Also in 1997, the Jersey Royal Company was founded. Ten years later, Albert Barlett established potato-growing infrastructure on the island. They began working with local farmers dedicated to growing Jersey Royals, and the company became famous for Jersey Royals before officially acquiring The Jersey Royal Company in 2024, merging to become the Jersey Royal brand. The company works with seven independent farmers who together produce up to 30,000 tonnes of Jersey Royals annually. Now part of the Albert Bartlett family, Jersey Royals are available to purchase in all UK and Channel Island supermarkets.
The Uniqueness of Jersey Royals
Jersey Royals are often described as unique and, as a result, have a Protected Designation of Origin status to ensure they stay just that – unique. While their delicious and distinctive flavour clearly makes them unique, there is also so much more about the potato and the industry that makes the Jersey Royal a true one of a kind in the potato world.
Unique Flavour
Unlike many potatoes that can be considered relatively bland in flavour, Jersey Royals have a magnificent flavour profile and boast a distinctively creamy, nutty taste. Considered to be the Champagne of the potato world, they are the perfect addition to salads and other dishes with a contrasting yet complementary flavour.
Firm Texture
Their texture creates an unusual bite, and as a result, Jersey Royals are particularly popular in salads. Picked early, they have a flaky skin with a firm texture while also boasting the creamy flavour inside.
Seasonal Specialty
Harvested every year between the months of April and July, Jersey Royals are a seasonal treat. Only available for a limited period, these special potatoes can only be enjoyed during the spring and early summer. The novelty of only being able to get these potatoes for a short time is all part of the popularity of Jersey Royals
Health Benefits
The exceptional nutritional value is also one thing that makes Jersey royals an outstanding potato. A great source of complex carbohydrates that are low in fat and packed full of fibre, Jersey royals are also rich in vitamins C and B. Considering they were developed by fluke, the nutrient density of this tiny little spud is particularly impressive.
Protected Status
Awarded in 1997, Jersey Royals received the Protected Designation of Origin status. It is the only potato in the UK to receive this title, and similar to how the Champagne region can only produce Champagne, it ensures that only kidney-shaped new potatoes grown on Jersey soil can be called Jersey Royals.
Hand Planted
Jersey Royals still continue to be planted by hand, ensuring they are planted accurately and with care to create the best potatoes. To grow the amount of Jersey Royals required for the season, indoor planting begins in December in glasshouses or polytunnels, with outdoor planting between January and April.
Special Grading Process
Jersey Royals are harvested young and within the hour, are inspected by the Quality Control team before packing starts. The potatoes are washed, inspected and size-graded prior to packing with each pack having a traceability system that connects back to the field of origin.
Sustainable Farming
With roots deep in the island’s agricultural history, Jersey Royal is a family-owned company with initiatives in operation to promote sustainable farming and support independent growers. Actively working to reduce carbon emissions by at least 30% by 2030, the company is aligned with global agricultural efforts.
Jersey Vodka
In addition to enjoying Jersey royals in their potato form, Jersey has also developed a selection of vodkas made from these unique new potatoes. Available in many of the island’s bars and restaurants, there are multiple varieties to try, offering an alternative taste of Jersey Royals. The artisan vodka ‘Fluke’ crafted by the Jersey Distillery Company and the Royal Mash Vintage Vodka are both created using exclusively local potatoes.
Jersey Statue
In 2009, Mrs Alex Barlett unveiled a statue dedicated to the heritage of the Jersey Royal. It honours the generations of islanders who have handpicked potato produce on the island for centuries, braving the steep cotils to hand plant and pick the impressive Jersey Royals. A bronze statue depicting a potato picker at work, it captures the heritage of the Jersey Royal industry.
