Jack Dunnett, potato breeder
Jack Dunnett is that rare commodity, a successful independent potato breeder. He has written a remarkable book, "A Scottish Potato Harvest", based on his 46 years in the industry, and anyone with more than a casual interest in potatoes will learn a great deal from reading it - and not just about spuds. His writing is objective and pithy, and the book says more about potato breeding than 100 academic reports.
I have said some pretty negative things about the variety 'Nadine' on this site. But Nadine was Jack Dunnett's first big success as a potato breeder, and in his book he explains why the usual criticism levelled at it - a bland taste - doesn't matter. Potatoes are a staple crop. Taste for such a crop is secondary to yield, price, ease of cultivation and many other things. And Nadine is undisputably a good all-round potato - no matter how you cook it, it's OK.
Readers of this site should know that I am only an amateur enthusiast, but J.D. is a professional - he has probably forgotten more than I'll ever know on the subject of potatoes.....nevertheless, if these pages make a few people more interested in what they're eating, I won't entirely have wasted my time.
When time permits I will be writing a little about
each of the Caithness varieties, which are the ones brought out by
J.D's company Caithness Potatoes Ltd. I am aware of the following
types:
1986 Stemster,
1987 Nadine,
1989 Stroma,
1992 Kestrel,
1992 Winston,
1993 Maxine,
1993 Valor,
1994 Swift,
1994 Argos,
1997 Merlin,
1998 Harmony,
1998 Verity
1999 Osprey,
1999 Celine,
2002 Mimi.
DATES NOT KNOWN:
Heather,
Tiffany,
Redgem,
Coco.
Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
