How 'best ever' potato grown in Suffolk could save time on Christmas Day

The breed of spud, known as Nemo after the cartoon clownfish, due to its stripy appearance was declared "the best roasting potato ever" by a supermarket's potato buyer.

The potato was developed by Lincolnshire-based company Branston to be especially tasty, but also to save on roasting time. It is being grown at one of the firm's sites in Suffolk.

Dr David Nelson, agronomy director at Branston, said it had been a “real labour of love” to work with the new Nemo variety for the last six years.

Dr David Nelson, known in the industry as Dr Potato, with a new hybrid variety of potato named Nemo, after the cartoon fish in Finding Nemo at Branston potato growers in Lincolnshire. (Image: PA Media)

Dr Nelson — known as Dr Potato — said: “We were looking at a variety that would not only taste superb but would also save on roasting time.

“Nemo is a natural hybrid that has been developed through carefully crossing an exceptionally wonderful-tasting fast-cooking Peruvian variety called Inca Bella and a popular, red-skinned salad variety called Franceline which grows well in the UK climate.”

He said there is a “limited amount” of the new potato this year, “but enough to cover the all-important Christmas period when roasting potatoes are at their most popular”.

A new hybrid variety of potatoes named Nemo, after the cartoon fish in Finding Nemo, due to its unusual markings, has been declared the best roasting potatoes ever by Tesco's potato buyer (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Tesco potato buyer Hannah Moseley said: “Just about everyone who has tasted the new Nemo variety consider it to be the best roasting potato ever – even better than the King Edward or Maris Piper.

“Not only do they taste wonderfully rich and buttery but they are also light and fluffy on the inside with a beautiful golden crispness on the outside – basically perfect roasties.

“But an added bonus is that they roast about 10 minutes quicker than European varieties."

The Nemos are sorted and packed at Branston potato growers in Lincolnshire (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)

Nemo potatoes have been grown and developed over the last six years by Branston, one of the UK’s largest potato suppliers, exclusively for Tesco.

The variety requires less water and fertiliser to grow than other varieties, and is 25% faster to cook, saving energy in the home, according to the supermarket giant.

Ms Moseley said: “We have a limited amount this year for the all-important Christmas period but will then have to wait until more are grown, which will be around September next year.”