Irish Palates are losing their taste for Potatoes

The primacy of the Roman Catholic Church and the centrality of the pub are not the only staples of Irish life under threat. Fresh potatoes are losing their place as the carbohydrate of choice on the Irish plate, prompting a national campaign to arrest the decline.

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, has commissioned research to determine why pasta, rice, noodles, couscous and other carbohydrates are all claiming parts of the potato’s traditional market share. The government-financed board will then seek advice on ways to overcome the vegetable’s stodgy image.

“We believe that, emotionally, most Irish consumers still love to eat their potatoes, but several key issues negatively impact on their consumption,” the board said this month in a document for research applicants.