Grown in Lincolnshire and Suffolk for potato supplier, Branston, the ‘game-changing’ Nemo variety became an overnight hit not only because it can cut cooking time by a quarter but also for its gourmet quality premium taste.
Until now the potatoes have only been exclusively available on very limited trials at selected Tesco stores but this year, based on previous high demand, Branston are supplying enough to last for the next seven months.
And Branston, one 'f the country's biggest potato suppliers, are optimistic that the Nemo variety of potatoes could soon join classic roasting spuds, the King Edward and Maris Piper, as a world beater due to their improved availability.
Said: Tesco potato buyer Lucy Moss: “The Nemo is now well on its way to becoming a modern British classic potato and is already being talked about by those who have tried it as the ultimate roasting spud.
“It's considered a game-changer potato not only because it can slash cooking time compared with the average roasting spud but also because of its wonderful creamy taste, rich fluffy texture, crisp outer skin and distinct golden colour.”
Branston, whose largest packing site is based near Lincoln, have plans to further increase availability of Nemo over the next few years as seed volumes expand.
Mark Willcox, Director of Agronomy at Branston said: “Establishing a new potato takes many years as we need to understand how and where it grows best while testing it in the market.
“At the same time, potato seed multiplication takes four to five years to build up to full commercial volumes so this gives us time to fully understand its strengths and weaknesses.
“We are really very pleased with how well Nemo has performed in Tesco’ Finest range over the over recent Christmas periods’. Based on this success, this year we planted enough to maintain it in store for up to seven months, based on previous sale rates.
“We carefully select the best growers on the best available growing land to grow this premium potato. The environmental credentials of Nemo are strong too – it requires relatively small amounts of fertilisers and much of this nutrition can be organically-derived, too.
“It has strong disease resistance and uses water efficiently, especially where applied by drip irrigation. Many of the Nemo fields have benefitted local biodiversity through the planting of flower rich grass field margins.”
The Tesco Finest Nemo Potatoes cost £2.30 for a 2kg bag and will be available in more than 400 stores.
