Jersey Royal Potatoes

History of the Jersey Royal

The birth of the world famous Jersey Royal can be traced back to 1878 when many different varieties were being been grown on the island. A local farmer, Hugh de la Haye, found two enormous potatoes displayed on the counter in a local store, which he bought and showed to his friends. One of them had 15 of the 'eyes' from which new plants sprout, so they cut the potatoes into 16 pieces and planted them on a 'cotil' above Bellozanne valley. (Cotil is term for Jersey's steeply sloping, south facing fields, which often overlook the sea).

The following spring, they produced a large and early crop of round potatoes, although one plant produced nothing but an unusual kidney shaped variety. This was the beginning of the unique Jersey Royal. Over the coming years it was specially nurtured and developed. Today it accounts for almost half of all Jersey's agricultural income.

Hugh de la Haye was later honoured by islanders at a formal gathering with a testimonial and a purse of gold sovereigns.