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[Canadian John]

 I have eaten many varieties and quanties of potatoes during my many trips around the sun..Mostly they have been baked over direct heat.  The skins are eaten when done this way..  A few days ago  for the first time ever we encountered an "earthy taste" in the Russets.

Did some research and ended up soaking the remaining potatoes in water and lemon juice.. Cooked a few last nite that went thru the soaking process and found the earthy taste completely gone.. Has anyone else had such an experience?

[Free Mr. Tony]

It's funny you bring this up. It was only about 2 days ago, I gave a coworker a potato soup recipe. It called for russets, and they quickly went into how they hated russet potatoes. I didn't really know anyone didnt like a russet potato. After digging a little, the earthy taste seemed to be what it was that they didn't care for. I think that taste is why I like them. Maybe I just liked eating dirt as a kid...

[Canadian John]

 I must add: This isn't the first time we have Russets.. It is just the first time we have experienced the earthy taste..

[SmokinHandyman]

We like the Clondike Gold potatoes.
There is a place in town here that sells them baker size.

[Bentley]

I will ask the obvious...You always scrubbed the Russets before you baked them?

[Kristin Meredith]

Was the earthy taste just in the skins or also in the flesh?

[ylr]

From Dr. Potato.......

[GREG-B]

From Dr. Potato.......

Makes sense.   My wife dissects potatoes pretty good for bad spots, haven't had this experience as of yet.

[pmillen]

From Dr. Potato.......

Here's the photograph from the above referenced link.  Dr. Potato doesn't provide a caption or explanation.

What are the dark areas in the slices?

Should they be trimmed out?

[Kristin Meredith]

I always thought they were either rotten spots or some type of bruising. 

When I am making mashed potatoes, I can usually see any dark spots "inside" the potato and cut them out.  I can sometimes see a dark spot on the outside with a baked potatoes and then I cut that out before I bake it.  I don't just scrub baked potatoes, but do an inspection and try to remove all blemishes and dark spots I can see before baking.

[pmillen]

When I am making mashed potatoes, I can usually see any dark spots "inside" the potato and cut them out.  I can sometimes see a dark spot on the outside with a baked potatoes and then I cut that out before I bake it.  I don't just scrub baked potatoes, but do an inspection and try to remove all blemishes and dark spots I can see before baking.

My process, too.  But I've never been certain if I should just ignore them.  Especially since almost every batch of restaurant potatoes I receive has the dark spots in some pieces.

[Canadian John]

 Answers to Kristin and Bentley's Questions:

                                                              We always scrub and cut out any bad parts..



                                                              Can't say if the taste was in the skin or flesh as we them skin on..

[Kristin Meredith]

Answers to Kristin and Bentley's Questions:

                                                              We always scrub and cut out any bad parts..



                                                              Can't say if the taste was in the skin or flesh as we them skin on..

I have found your problem.  You need to eat your baked potatoes differently.

Cut in half, scoop both halves in a little pile, add a heaping amount of butter and a little salt.  While this butter is melting, add more butter to the two skin halves, a little salt and some sour cream.  By now, all the butter in the pile of potatoes has melted and you eat those and taste for earthiness.  By that time, all the butter in the skins has melted and mixed with the sour cream and you eat them and taste for earthiness.

With this method, I can almost guarantee no earthiness flavor!!!

[Canadian John]

 Kristin;That should do it!

[Clonesmoker]

The potatoes I have taste like Vodka!!