11 June 2026

Cornish new potatoes: the taste of a Westcountry summer

There are few things that say early summer in the Westcountry quite like a bowl of Cornish new potatoes. Small, sweet and tender-skinned, they're one of the true highlights of the local produce calendar — and they've just arrived on our shelves at Roots & Vines, fresh from across the Tamar.

What makes them so special?

Cornwall's mild climate and early springs mean its new potatoes are among the first in Britain to be lifted each year. Harvested young, before the sugars fully convert to starch, they have a sweetness and a delicate, waxy texture you simply won't find in a potato that's been sitting in storage. The skins are so thin they barely need more than a rinse — no peeling required.

Because they travel only a short distance from field to our shop in Tavistock, they arrive with all that just-dug freshness intact. This is seasonal eating at its very best: simple, local and absolutely delicious.

How to cook them (keep it simple!)

With produce this good, less is more:

1. Give them a gentle rinse — no peeling.
2. Boil in well-salted water for 12 to 15 minutes, until a knife slides in easily.
3. Drain, and while they're still steaming hot, add a generous knob of butter and a pinch of sea salt. Perhaps a few torn mint leaves if you're feeling fancy.

That's it. No clever tricks needed — just good ingredients treated kindly.

The perfect partners

If you're going to keep it simple, the supporting cast matters. Two fellow Cornish heroes make these potatoes sing:

• Trewithen Dairy Cornish butter. Made by a family-run dairy in the heart of Cornwall, Trewithen's rich, golden butter melts into the hot potatoes beautifully — creamy, slightly salted perfection.
• Cornish Sea Salt. Harvested from the clear Atlantic waters around the Cornish coast, its crisp, clean flakes add just the right finishing touch.

All three — the potatoes, the butter and the sea salt — are available in our shop on West Street and through our online store, so you can have the whole trio delivered to your door or ready for click and collect.

While the season lasts

Like all the best things, Cornish new potatoes are fleeting — the season only runs through the warmer months, so now is the time to enjoy them. Pop in and see us, or order online, and taste a true Westcountry summer tradition.