DO Jersey Royals taste the same as they used to?

The famous potato has been a delicacy because of its short season and high price but I complained that I thought it had lost its flavour.

One rumour is that those nasty people at the European Union have banned the traditional method of fertilising the potato with seaweed on health and safety grounds.

Not so.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs applied to the European Union to protect the name of the Jersey Royal, in the same way that the name of champagne is protected.

And in their description they say: “First early variety of potato characterised by long oval tubers, yellow skin and firm texture once cooked. Foliage is dark green with wavy margins and robust stems.

Seaweed is extensively used as a fertiliser, this enhances the flavour of the potatoes.”

So it must be something else.

Maybe my taste buds are wearing out with age?

Old pal Graham Rushworth of Natural Choice, the fruit and vegetable specialist shop in Westbourne Road, Marsh, said my taste buds could be at fault but a more likely explanation was that I had bought one of the first batches of Jersey Royals.

“The first ones are grown indoors and are forced. That’s why they have less taste. They are also very expensive. But the later ones are still fully flavoured.”

Which is great news. Jersey Royals are back on my menu.