Here in the West? Which potato is best for what? Nadines is best for..... eating!

(Sorry Kika couldn't resist, but thank you for the list apart from King Edwards haven't seen the rest on sale over here)

Thanks for that Kika and coming from a 'troubled past' in relation to potatoes cooking wise, particularly in the  'baked' potato realm ...which in the world I come from were often referred to as 'roast' potatoes....  think this information will do me a power of good. 

Likewise thought there were only about 3 varieties of potato - the brown ones often with the dirt still left on them, which to my mind is a good look commercially and sort of gives them that authentic earthy quality, and a subtle reminder that many vegetables are actually grown from soil; the little white ones; and the reddish coloured ones; and everything else in between were sort of different shaped versions of those varieties. 

However since you've posted your information have been inspired to do some research myself, and am now of the understanding that there are as many as 16 different varieties that can again  be streamlined into 3 different categories  - starchy, waxy and everything in between is called 'all purpose'. 

Feel there's a whole new world opening up for me....and possibly links to some distant Irish heritage but am a lifelong potato lover and don't think you can go too far wrong with the humble spud no matter what variety, shape or size.

Ref:  Google 'Sixteen types of potato'

I like sweet potatoes.

1.  They are high in vitamin B6.
2. They are a good source of vitamin C.
3.  They contain Vitamin D
4.  Sweet potatoes contain iron.
5.  Sweet potatoes are a good source of mag­nesium

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/9-reasons-to-love-sweet-potatoes.html

I grow Sweet Potato in large containers in my my garden - I am partial to a cultivar with moist orange flesh. Sweet Potatoes tend to scramble through the garden in a pumpkin like manner.

Also like Viv I like the Nadine potato which I grow in the garden inside tyres - I start them off by planting the peels which keeps in spuds year around.

Buying Kestrel here at the moment.  Lovely potato.  We can get Kipfler, Coliban, Desiree, Pontiac and a few others.

Until recently the potatoes were never named in most shops. You just bought whatever was available.  I guess if you go in the town markets in Adelaide you would be able to get more varieties.

I too grow the sweet potato (orange) have a whole bed of them at the moment growing so should have a good crop later in the year.

Lovely eating potato though Abby.  Makes a nice baked potato.  Just par cook them in the microwave then into a 200 c oven till they are crsip on the outside.  Break them open and put butter and sour cream in them.

I prefer spuds really but Pomme De Terre are ok

Why is it that the spuds you grow yourself always taste better than those from the supermarket ?

I still don't understand all the varieties of potatoes and what is best for what but am really open to learning, so thanks for that info kika. I noticed that Coles is now starting to name their potatoes and what is good for what, which helps. 

To have a continuous supply of potatoes igrow then in tyres

The potatoes are grown from potato peels - just plant the eyes

in the bottom tyre and as the potato is growing add the tyres to the stack

You can paint the tyres to mke them match your outdoor decor :)