Difference between red potatoes and white potatoes
Main difference
The main difference between red potatoes and white potatoes is that red potatoes are thin red-skinned, round-shaped potatoes with less starch, while white potatoes are brown-skinned, oblong-shaped potatoes with high starch content.
Red potatoes vs. white potatoes
The second name for the red potato is Red Bliss Potatoes. The second name for white potatoes is Brown Russet Potatoes or Idaho. Red potatoes are medium in size; on the other hand, white potatoes can be small or large. Red potatoes are spherical, while white potatoes are round or rectangular in shape. The skin color of red potatoes is red; on the other hand, the skin color of white potatoes is brown. The inside of red potatoes is red or white, while the inside of white potatoes is yellow or white.
Red potatoes have a buttery, waxy texture; on the contrary, white potatoes are slightly dense and slightly creamy. The starch content of red potatoes is lower compared to white potatoes. White potatoes are rich in resistant starch. Red potatoes are more sugary and white potatoes are less sweet.
Red potatoes are cooked with their skins, so they provide more fiber content, while white potatoes contain less fiber, as they are often cooked without skin. Red potatoes provide fewer calories in contrast to white potatoes, which provide more calories. Red potatoes are tough; on the contrary, white potatoes are soft and fluffy. The health benefits of red potatoes are more than white potatoes. Red potatoes are anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. White potatoes are a food source for the gut microbiota, which promotes gut health.
Comparative chart
Red potatoes | White potatoes |
Red potatoes are thin, round-shaped red-skinned potatoes, also called Red Bliss potatoes. | White potatoes are oblong shaped brown skin potatoes, also called reddish brown potatoes or Idaho |
Size | |
Half | Small to big |
Colour | |
Red, red, or white skin inside | Brown, yellow, or white skin inside |
Characteristics | |
Waxy and creamy texture | Creamy, light and fluffy texture |
Starch content | |
Less starch | More starch |
Sugar | |
More sugar | Less sugar |
Glucose level | |
89 | 111 |
Cooking | |
With skin | With or without skin |
Better for | |
Grease, fry, steam | Fry, bake, mash |
Calories | |
149 cal / serving | 168 cal / serving |
Fiber | |
Add extra fiber | Add less fiber |
Applications | |
Salads, soups | chips |
Red potatoes are starchy vegetables with thin red skin with soft red or white meat inside. It comes in a medium size, often round in shape. These are Red Bliss potatoes, with less starch and more sugar content. The texture of red potatoes is waxy and firm. These potatoes are firm so they are not suitable for mashing, they are used for boiling, roasting, soups, stews and stews.
One red potato provides 1,670 milligrams of potassium, which is vital for heart and muscle function. Potassium aids in the excretion of sodium from the body. The skin of potatoes has its nutritional aspects. It is rich in fiber. Red potatoes provide the most healthy micronutrients and phytochemicals. A flavonoid compound called ‘quercetin’ is present in red potatoes in sufficient quantity. This compound has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
The red potato provides enough niacin that regulates cholesterol levels in the blood. Lowers LDL cholesterol and promotes healthy skin and neurons. Red potatoes provide lutein xanthophyll that supports eye health and the choline needed for brain health. Half the recommended amount of pyridoxine is a large red potato. This vitamin aids in the metabolism of macronutrients and aids in the formation of red blood cells.
Red potatoes are naturally fat and gluten free. Boil or roast red potatoes serve them with some herbs, so far they have no fat. It is versatile and can be served in many ways. Meets 45% of the daily intake of vitamin C, nourishes the body at all. It acts as an antioxidant and prevents oxidative stress.
White potatoes are edible tubers that belong to a family of starchy vegetables. Its other name is Russet Potatoes and Idaho. It comes in two forms; most varieties are reddish in shape with smooth skin, few buds and a bright white appearance. On the other hand, the second variety has a round baseball shape with freckled skin and tan inside. Its texture is less creamy, slightly dense, it has a light and fluffy character. These potatoes have more starch and less sugar.
White potatoes are rich in many nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamin B6. The white pulp is a rich source of resistant starch that acts as a prebiotic for probiotics in the gut. Enzymes cannot digest this starch; therefore, the microflora converts it to short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid. These fatty acids strengthen immunity and provide energy to the cells of the colon.
White potatoes provide a large amount of high-quality protein. The amino acids methionine, lysine threonine and tryptophan are abundant, which are involved in cell function and repair mechanisms. When the white potato competes with rice and pasta, it is considered a high-calorie food. It has a high glycemic index, which is best for athletes when it comes to endurance.
Do not keep potatoes in the refrigerator, if you store them and the starch turns to sugars and the taste changes, the inner tan changes. You should be cautious when eating green potatoes because these are signs of spoilage. Do not wash the potatoes before storing them because it facilitates their rate of spoilage.
Key differences
- Red potatoes are also called Red Bliss potatoes, while the other name for white potatoes is Brown Russet or Idaho potatoes.
- Red potatoes are mostly medium in size, while the sizes of white potatoes vary from small to large.
- The shape of the red potatoes is the circle; on the other hand, the shape of white potatoes is round or rhombus.
- Red potatoes are thin, with red skin and white inside; on the other hand, the skin color of white potatoes is brown and the inner side is yellow or white.
- The texture of the red potatoes is defined and creamy; on the contrary, the composition of white potatoes is fluffy and less creamy.
- Red potatoes contain less starch; on the other hand, white potatoes contain more resistant starch.
- Red potatoes provide more sugar content; on the other hand, white potatoes contain less sugar.
- Red potatoes are absorbed late into the bloodstream and have a lower glycemic index, while white potatoes are faster.
- Red potatoes are often cooked with the skin; instead, there may be an option for white potatoes, cooked with or without skin.
- Red potatoes are tough, best for greasing, frying, and steaming; on the other hand, white potatoes are soft, better for mashing.
- Red potatoes offer 149 calories per serving; On the other hand, white potatoes provide 168 calories per serving.
- Red potatoes add extra fiber to the recipe in the form of the skin; on the other hand, white potatoes add less fiber.
- Red potatoes find their use in salads and soups, while white potatoes are perfect for fries.
Red potatoes and white potatoes are different varieties of potatoes. Red potatoes are thin, soft-skinned, white on the inside, and have fewer calories. White potatoes are brown skinned, toasted insides, soft and fluffy, and contain more calories.