Image: Flickr user srbth
Sure, you've heard of potatoes from Ireland.But have you ever heard of Irish Potato Candy?
Image: Oh Ryan's Candies
No, they're not made of potato (although candies made with potato do exist!).
Comprised of coconut cream coated in cinnamon, they're a Philadelphia tradition, with varieties produced by just about every confectioner in town (Whole Foods even has their own version!).
But one of the most ubiquitous specimens around town is the version made by a company called Oh Ryan's. As they say on their website,
Irish Potatoes are not Irish and there is no potato in them. A Philadelphia tradition for over 100 years, they are a coconut cream center rolled in cinnamon. Because they are rolled in cinnamon, they look like small potatoes. They traditionally come out for St. Patrick's Day, hence the name “Irish Potatoes.”
In spite of it being a long-standing Philadelphia tradition, Oh Ryan's has only been around since 1989--
Oh Ryan's Irish Potatoesis a family-run company that has been making Irish Potatoes since 1989. We named the company after our 1-year-old son, Ryan, since he has such a nice Irish name.
Now that Ryan is all grown up, he works alongside his father in the company that has grown to be the largest producer of Irish Potatoes today. 90% of our sales have been in the Philadelphia area, but we have shipped them all across the country from Massachusetts to Florida, to California, and as far away as Nome, Alaska.
But in that time, they have established themselves as the largest purveyor of the sweet potatoes.
But I digress. The point is that the candies are labeled "Irish" more because of their look than because of any Irish ingredient or candy-making tradition (not unlike the "Potato" pastry made by Nielsen's in Seattle). And, to that point, here's a recipe from the 1920s that I found on The Food Timeline:
"Candy Irish Potatoes for St. Patrick's Day Take five pounds of bon bon cream and into knead one pound of almond paste, stiffening it with XXXX powdered sugar while working, if necessary. When thoroughly kneaded, shape into small spuds about the size of an ink bottle, and while moist rub with powdered cinnamon. Use almond paste or pignolia nuts pressed in side to represent eyes or sprouts, or simply make little dents for the eyes. Care must be taken to bet the cinnamon to stick good." ---Rigby's Reliable Candy Teacher, W.O. Rigby, 19th edition 1920s? (p. 208)
Interestingly, the site also mentions that "Curiously, we do not find any potato candies in our historic British confectionery texts, candy reference books, books on potatoes, or Irish culinary sources."
Unlike another potato-inspired candy, the Idaho Spud, the Irish Potato seems to proliferate primarily around St. Patrick's day time. And while it is most popular in the Philadelphia area, California-based See's Candies also makes a version. As I learned from Serious Eats,
But the West Coast confectionery See's shouldn't get all the credit for the spud trompe l'oeil. Just outside Philadelphia in Linwood, Pennsylvania,Oh Ryan'sships about 80,000 pounds of these spud-candies per year, mostly within the state. It's aPhilly-area traditionthat spans back 100 years, also made from scratch. They start with a special sugar made for candy-makers, then make vanilla buttercream and add coconut flavoring and macaroon coconut for flavor and texture.
As the Serious Eats article concludes, "File this under another Americanism that Irish people in Ireland probably have no clue about."
To obtain some Potato Candy for yourself, go to See's Candies or buy Oh Ryan's Irish Potatoes online here.
FAQs
Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when Irish immigrants in Philadelphia sought to celebrate their heritage in the United States. As they faced economic challenges, these immigrants adapted traditional Irish recipes to suit the ingredients available to them in their new homeland.
What is the introduction of the sweet potato? ›
Introduction. The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) is a native American plant found by Columbus and his shipmates, probably on the West Indies islands off the coast of Yucatan and Honduras. In colonial days, George Washington grew sweet potatoes on his Virginia farm.
Which is healthier Irish potatoes or sweet potatoes? ›
Which one is healthier? While both types of potatoes can be a healthy part of your diet, sweet potatoes are higher in nutrients like vitamin A that may offer extra benefits for your overall health. There are many similarities between potatoes and sweet potatoes.
What does Irish potato give to the body? ›
Consuming potassium-rich foods like Irish potatoes can help reduce the risk of hypertension and lower the chances of heart disease and stroke. Immune System Support: Irish potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is known for its immune-boosting properties.
Who invented the Irish potato candy? ›
There's no definitive account, but there's certainly lots of speculation. Sparknotes: They were probably invented in the 19th or early 20th century, when Philly became home to an increasingly large Irish immigrant population in the wake of the Great Potato Famine.
What did the Irish eat instead of potatoes? ›
Until the arrival of the potato in the 16th century, grains such as oats, wheat and barley, cooked either as porridge or bread, formed the staple of the Irish diet. The most common form of bread consisted of flatbread made from ground oats.
What was the old name of sweet potato? ›
Enslaved Africans had already been calling the 'soft' sweet potatoes 'yams' because they resembled the unrelated yams in Africa. Thus, 'soft' sweet potatoes were referred to as 'yams' to distinguish them from the 'firm' varieties.
Is sweet potato good for diabetes? ›
Sweet potatoes are known to be high in fiber and have a low glycemic index, which results in a less immediate impact on blood glucose levels. This can help people with diabetes keep their blood sugar levels in check. Sweet potatoes can be: Baked or microwaved.
What are 4 facts about sweet potatoes? ›
Fun Facts About Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, vitamins E and C, iron, potassium and vitamin B6. Sweet potato roots are harvested 90 to 120 days after transplanting. North Carolina's official vegetable is the sweet potato. February is National Sweet Potato Month.
Which potato is the healthiest? ›
The Healthiest Potato is the Red Potato
After taking into account the mineral density, the vitamin density, the macronutrient balance, the sugar-to-fiber ratio, the sodium-to-potassium ratio, and the phytochemical profile, red potatoes are the healthiest potato with data from the USDA Food Database.
Sweet Potatoes and Health
Sweet potatoes with orange flesh are richest in beta-carotene. Sweet potatoes with purple flesh are richer in anthocyanins. Beta-carotene and anthocyanins are naturally occurring plant “phyto” chemicals that give vegetables their bright colors.
Which is healthier white or orange sweet potato? ›
Orange sweet potatoes are positively packed with beta-carotene ,which is responsible for the orange flesh. White sweet potatoes only have 6 micrograms of beta-carotene compared to an orange sweet potato's load of more than 8,500 micrograms. Stop treating the squash like a tuber and start thinking of it like a melon.
When not to eat potatoes? ›
As they age, or with improper storage, potatoes may develop sprouting and green spots. If there isn't any sprouting, you can use the color change as an indicator of spoilage. If the skin looks greenish or if there's sprouting present, you'll need to remove the sprouts or toss the whole potato, depending on severity.
Is potato healthier than rice? ›
Of rice, pasta, potatoes, and bread, potatoes are the healthiest of these starchy and complex carbohydrate foods. This is because potatoes are dense in nutrients, containing essential minerals, vitamins, and other micronutrients. Potatoes are also high in fiber, helping to satiate hunger and regulate blood sugar.
What happens to your body when you eat potatoes everyday? ›
There can be benefits of eating a potato everyday. According to health experts, it could lower your blood pressure, as long as you aren't deep frying it or topping or pairing it with foods high in saturated fat. The fiber and potassium in potatoes are good for heart health.
What was the infamous Irish Potato Famine? ›
The Irish Potato Famine, also known as the Great Hunger, began in 1845 when a mold known as Phytophthora infestans (or P. infestans) caused a destructive plant disease that spread rapidly throughout Ireland.
Did the Irish eat potatoes in the famine? ›
The million-plus Irish who starved to death did not die from lack of potatoes. They died from lack of food; from the gunpoint removal and export of the abundant wheat, oats, barley, beef, mutton, pork, poultry, eggs, butter, milk, fruit and vegetables that they themselves produced.
Image: Flickr user srbth
Image: Oh Ryan's Candies
