Myth Debunked: Do Potatoes Float?

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What comes first- the chicken or the egg? How did the chicken cross the road? Who initiated the Big bang and several other questions keep boggling our minds, now and then.

In the quest for answers, we decided to resolve another question –

Do potatoes float?

The answer is no, regular potatoes don’t float on the water’s surface but sink into it. Potatoes don’t float in regular water, and the reason for this is density. Anything with a density lower than water floats on the surface. Since potatoes has greater density than water, it sinks to the bottom. 

How to Make My Potatoes Float?

Want your potatoes floating (Trick or Treat)? Alter the density!

Adding salt or sugar to your water makes it heavier, so your potatoes will start to float.

Like the Dead Sea, the salt in the water increases the water’s overall mass, making it denser. You can do the trick by using sugar, also.

Do Sweet Potatoes Float?

Yes! The sweet potatoes do float in water. That is one of the major differences in identifying different types of potatoes.

Do Potatoes Float- Identifying Types Of Potatoes

Potatoes, majorly, are of two types. Waxy and Mealy. Waxy potatoes are high in starch, whereas mealy potatoes are regular white potatoes.

Some of the key differences between a waxy and a mealy potato include the following:

Characteristics	Waxy Potatoes	Mealy Potatoes
Skin	Thin	Thick
Starch Content	Low	High
Moisture content	High	Low
Sugar Content	High	Low
Examples	Red skin potatoes, Fingerling potatoes, New potatoes.	Russets, Yams, Idaho, sweet potatoes, etc.

What are Mealy potatoes Used For?

Due to their low starch content, mealy potatoes are ideal for deep-fried potatoes. They don’t retain their shape upon boiling and are perfect for preparing mashed potatoes.

What are Waxy Potatoes Used For?

Waxy potatoes, on the contrary, retain their shape upon boiling and are a good choice for dishes that include roasted or sautéd potatoes.

Are Floating Potatoes Bad?

So now we know that floating potatoes are not always bad. Unless a potato is green and tastes bitter, it is okay to eat them. People tend to discard wrinkling or sprouting potatoes, but they are not always bad.

If the potato is not green, you can always remove the sprouts and use the rest.

How many salts Should I Add to Water to Make My Potatoes Float?

If you want to prepare a brine solution to make your potatoes float, this is how to do it:

Add one part of salt to 11 parts of water, i.e., 6 tablespoons to 1 liter of water.

Adding potatoes to this solution, you will find your mealy potatoes floating on the surface.

Do Over-Boiled Potatoes Float?

If the potatoes are left to boil for a long period, the potato soaks up the water. This increases the density, making them heavier. However, soaking too much water makes some potatoes lose their intact shape.

The potato breaks into small pieces, the smallest of which may float for some time.

How to fix over-boiled potatoes?

Over-boiling potatoes can result in them being soupy when mashed. If you have over-boiled your potatoes, too, don’t worry.

Put the mashed potatoes on the stove (in a pot!) and cook them on low heat. The excess water will evaporate in the form of steam, leaving behind a dried-out dish of mashed potatoes.

How do you know your potatoes are overcooked?

If the skin of your potato appears wrinkled, it is a sign that you have overcooked it. Make sure to avoid overboiling to get desired flavor and presentation.

How long does it take to perfectly boil a potato?

The perfect boiling time for a potato depends on its size. However, generally smaller potatoes boil for 15 minutes, whereas larger potatoes take about 25 minutes until they are perfectly done.

Perfect Potato Recipes:

Whether it’s a lazy Sunday afternoon or in your Gordon Ramsay mode, there is a potato recipe for every season, every mood, and every time of the day.

Potatoes make everyone happy. Here are some of our favorite recipes you can make:

Hash Browns For A Crisp Breakfast

Hash browns are a perfect and time-saving addition to your breakfast menu. Fun Fact- Kids love it! Talking about hash browns, we have an article comparing hash brown and tater tots.

Hash browns are very easy to make. All you need are some:

• Potatoes
• Butter
• Paprika
• Salt n Pepper

Shred the potatoes, and soak them in water. Press dry the potato and fry it with butter and spices, and your crispy hash potatoes are ready to serve.

This 10-minute recipe gets ready in no time and is equally nutritious. 

Potato and Chicken Pad Thai For A Hearty Lunch

Tantalize your taste buds with this innovative pad thai recipe. It takes 20 minutes to complete and bursts with flavors and nutrients.

A combination of chicken, potatoes, and eggs topped with flavorful sauces makes it a favorite.

Potato and Cauliflower Curry For A Delicious Dinner

All the vegan lovers out there, this one’s for you! This roasted potato and cauliflower curry are delicious and extremely nutritious. The recipe is easy to cook and is low in calories. You can serve it alone or as a side dish to meat curries.

You only need potatoes, equal parts cauliflower, yogurt, and spices. The total prep and cooking time for this dish is 30 minutes.

Potatoes with Soft Boiled Eggs and Swiss Chard 

Add colors to your brunch plate with the vibrant swiss chard, creamy potatoes, and soft-boiled eggs. Topped up with red onions and vinaigrette dressing, this mouth-watering recipe is perfect for lazy Sunday morning brunches.

The recipe takes 20 minutes to complete. 

Air Fried Crispy Potato Bites For a Healthy Snack

This healthy snack recipe is prepared in no time for those late-night cravings.

The crispy potato bites are air-fried with minimal oil and are low in calories. Seasoned with all spices, this snack is easy to make and hits just the right spot. 

All you need are potatoes cut into bite-sized cubes. Spray or brush them with a tablespoon (or two) of oil and toss them into the air fryer.

After 10 minutes, shake them a little and then cook them for another 10 minutes.

Once done, dish out the potato bites and sprinkle them with salt and paprika (to taste). Your snack is ready to be gobbled up!

For a better insight into the quantities and measurements, check out the detailed recipe here. 

Conclusion

Potatoes are loved by all, children and adults alike. Whether mashed potatoes or french fries, A healthy snack of baked potato, or stuffed potato curry, potatoes are a winner.

So if while stuffing your mouth with creamy mashed potatoes, you too think, do potatoes float? We hope our blog will clear up the confusion for you.

Just sit back, relax, and keep treating yourself to those mouth-watering potatoes.

Happy Eating!