Renowned for their delicious flavour, they are the only potatoes to have been granted AOC status. Harvested before reaching full maturity to keep their tasty starchiness, their subtle marine taste is said to be down to the sandy soil and seaweed fertiliser in which they are grown.
They’re available from early April – these first ones, called pomme de terre primeur de l’Ile de Ré, are particularly prized – to the end of June. Five varieties are grown – both the Alcmaria and Starlette have a slightly sweet taster and softer flesh, while that of the Roseval, Charlotte and the Amandine is more firm.
On Ile de Ré and nearby La Rochelle you will find them in any vegetable shop or supermarket. Further afield, try better quality stores and supermarkets. Boil them, then top with butter and sprinkle on some of the local salt. Top them with cheese, or for something a little more extravagant, caviar.