What Is A Purple Potato & Why Are They Purple? - The Produce Nerd

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• Post published:July 1, 2021

You can find all sorts of purple potatoes: regular purple potatoes, baby purple potatoes, purple fingerling potatoes, Oriental purple sweet potatoes, and Stokes purple sweet potatoes. The most exciting part is that they are all purple on the outside and have some form of purple, white or mixed purple and white on the inside. However, they do not all look or taste the same, which is what makes it interesting, right?! So, what makes purple potatoes purple and why should you be excited about them?

Table of Contents

What is a Purple Potato?

A purple potato is a variety of potato, where the skin or both the skin and flesh are colored some shade of purple. You have the whole spectrum of potatoes that are purple on the outside and white/cream-colored on the inside, like Oriental/Murasaki sweet potatoes, those that have purple skin and mixture of white and purple flesh, and then potatoes and sweet potatoes that have both purple skin and purple flesh. 

Why are Purple Potatoes Purple?

The purple potatoes are purple because they contain anthocyanins, which is the flavonoid pigment that is responsible for producing purple, blue and/or red hues in fruits and vegetables. 

As a comparison, all orange-hued fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and orange sweet potatoes have that coloring because they contain carotenoids, which is the flavonoid pigment responsible for the orange coloring.

The anthocyanins are one of many antioxidants (basically really good things that you introduce to your body that helps reverse/prevent damage) that can be found naturally in purple potatoes. 

What is the Difference Between White Potatoes and Purple Potatoes?

Besides the few obvious differences of skin color and flesh color, the actual composition of the potato is different due to the anthocyanins that are included in the purple potatoes. Research has shown that the colored potatoes (both red and purple potatoes) contain a greater amount of antioxidants, with the purple potatoes that contain both purple skin and purple flesh having a comparable amount of antioxidants to Brussels sprouts and spinach.

Where Can I Buy Purple Potatoes?

Purple potatoes can now commonly be found in the produce departments of larger grocery chains and specialty markets. They are sold alongside the traditional Russet (brown skin and white/cream flesh), yellow and red potatoes.

The more specialty purple potatoes, such as the Stokes purple sweet potatoes, can be found through Frieda’s Specialty Produce and their participating grocery stores. For the other purple potatoes, you can check your local farmers market (depending on where you live) and/or put in a request to your local produce department. It never hurts to ask, right?!  

How do Purple Potatoes Grow?

Purple potatoes grow on vines, just like all other potatoes and sweet potatoes. Below, you can see a field of Stokes purple sweet potatoes. You cannot really see the potatoes, since the field is covered in vines, but the sweet potatoes are growing inside of them!

How to Cook a Purple Potato?

You cook purple potatoes the same way that you would cook any other potato. One thing to consider, though, is that some potatoes/sweet potatoes are drier and have less water content, so the cooking time and approach will need to be altered based on that. 

My favorite ways to cook potatoes are by cutting them up and roasting them in the oven, especially with a little bit of olive oil and garlic salt!

Do Purple Potatoes Lose Color When Cooked?

Yes, they do change in color, but they are still purple/blue in the end. You cannot really eat a potato without cooking it in some way, so at least you have the excitement of a colored potato! The full purple colored potatoes remain extra exciting after being cooked, compared to those that are both white and purple fleshed. For the Oriental sweet potatoes, that are purple on the outside and white/cream-colored on the inside, the purple excitement kind of wears off during the cooking process, but the flavor does not!

In Summary

To summarize, purple potatoes are just different varieties of potatoes (just like there are a ton of different options of apples) that provide a more visually appealing experience (most of the time) and have the potential to contain a higher level of antioxidants. However, remember that all potatoes are healthy and contain antioxidants. 

If you want to learn more about purple potatoes (and potatoes and sweet potatoes in general), you can check out the behind the scenes look at the sweet potato harvesting and packing operation at A.V. Thomas Produce, which is the only grower of Stokes purple sweet potatoes on the west coast.

Some other articles that may be of interest:

• Egg Fruit: What Does it Taste Like, When is it Ripe & More!
• What Causes White Shoulders in Strawberries?
• California Figs: Figs Grown Commercially in California

This Post Has 4 Comments

1. Teresa July 13, 2023 Reply

   I live in the middle of Kansas as some would say in the middle of nowhere. But iam 65 and have never eaten purple potatoes until today. They are not common for the middle of the country. Is there any where that does special orders that are shipped?? Our stores don’t take requests for what they would call a specialty food. We get what they have and need to be happy. But I would love to be able to have purple potatoes more than once in my life. I think they taste better.

2. Michael September 17, 2023 Reply

   Yes, the Wood Prairie Farm in Maine sells seed potatoes and for eating too. The best seed potatoes for organic that I have found. Their website is woodprairie dot organic

   1. Anonymous October 18, 2025 Reply

      Try health food stores!

3. Bonnie November 18, 2023 Reply

   What kind of potatoes will grow purple ornamental vines?

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About Me

Hi, I'm Megan! My goal is to change the way you think about fruits and vegetables: from the way they are harvested and handled postharvest to easy tips and tricks to help you eat more!

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