Their versatility is off the charts
How many different dishes can you make with just one root vegetable? When it comes to potatoes, the possibilities are nearly endless. Spuds originate from the region of modern-day southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. They found their way to Finland in the 18th century, brought by German tinsmiths. Thanks to the educational efforts of early potato enthusiasts and a few priests, they won the hearts of Finns. The idea of potatoes conquering Finland has been so intriguing that a comedy film (Peruna) was made about it in 2021.
Nowadays Finnish potatoes come in many shapes, sizes, and compositions; flaky, floury, and starchy potatoes with their incredible capability to transform into a silky-smooth mash; firm little ones for a hearty soup or stew; or big and bold ones that can be cut into fries. With the right toppings, a humble baked potato can be transformed into a complete balanced meal. They are amazing in cheesy gratins, boiled with good butter and a pinch of salt, or potato soups.
Potatoes are a climate-smart choice: they use less water, land and energy compared to many other staple foods.Illustration: Hilla Ruuskanen
They are a reliable source of food in the changing climate
In a world in desperate need of climate-friendly options for food, potatoes are one of the most sustainable choices. International research has recently shown that potatoes are more environmentally sustainable than pasta or rice. They are in the top ten of the most land- and water-efficient crops with the lowest carbon footprint, and are easy to grow.
Potatoes are hardy and adaptable and thrive almost everywhere, making them the ideal plant to grow in different climates. With enough water and nutrients, they grow easily without much maintenance all over Finland, from the lusher, greener south to the harder, less nutrient-rich terrain of the north. You can also grow them in a raised bed or even in a bucket.
They carry comfort, tradition and joy
Finnish potato dishes are the ultimate soul food. They bring a sense of togetherness to happy occasions and a touch of comfort and familiarity to sad ones. The taste of potatoes carries us through life. Potato purée is often the first solid food a Finnish baby tastes.
Including potatoes in the feast on celebratory occasions is so rooted in Finnish culture that it’s become almost intuitive. On the First of May holiday, Finns celebrate the arrival of spring with picnics and potato salad. At Midsummer, the first new potatoes of the season adorn the spread. And at weddings, many people opt for an entrée with boiled potatoes and salt-cured fish. Potatoes are also present at funerals, as a main ingredient in delicacies such as Karelian stew, salmon soup, or reindeer soup.
They — deservedly — have their own festival
Every spring, Finnish potato lovers wait eagerly for the first potatoes of the summer. In 2011, potato enthusiasts from Turku in southwestern Finland decided to give new-season potatoes the recognition they deserved and founded the New Potato Festival. The event highlights that potatoes are not just a reliable everyday staple in the kitchen, but also a unique gastronomic specialty.
At the festival, celebrated chefs prepare a range of dishes, from stir-fried and cold-smoked potato delicacies to potato desserts. According to the festival’s founders, potatoes deserve the same sort of attention as wine. What potatoes and wine have in common is that terroir — the combined effect of soil and climate — creates their distinctive flavor profiles. As one looks at the potato selection in a Finnish supermarket, you have to agree. There’s a potato with unique characteristics for everything and everyone – as there should be.
From artisanal chips to new gourmet varieties, Finnish potato innovation keeps on growing.Illustration: Hilla Ruuskanen
They spark innovation
The many possibilities of potatoes have inspired Finnish food enthusiasts to develop new products. For a great example of potato genius, we need only look as far as the Åland Islands, an autonomous, Swedish-speaking archipelago that is part of Finland. The area also happens to be the unofficial potato chip capital of Europe. If a flavour exists, you can be sure that a matching potato chip is already manufactured there.
One of the best-known potato innovations of recent years is the Frex potato. What started as a one-man mission to develop the perfect potato led to potato varieties appreciated by Michelin-starred chefs and home cooks alike. The Frex brand emphasizes natural and sustainable agricultural practices, aiming to produce potatoes with a genuine, rustic look and a delicious, authentic flavour. These potatoes are part of a broader initiative to return to the roots of genuine taste and ecological farming, combining modern technology with traditional methods to enhance soil health and nutrient circulation. At the moment, three different Frex potatoes are grown in Finland. The innovator of Frex, Tapio Knuuttila, has stated that one of Frex’s goals is to create more jobs in rural Finland while respecting traditions and natural values.
By Veera Kaukoniemi, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
