Testing the Secrets for Crispy Roast Potatoes

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  • čas přidán 22. 01. 2024
  • Thanks to Mistplay for sponsoring this video! Download the app for free here: mistplay.com/Stache and use code STACHE50 for 50 free points. Code expires 6/30/24. Limited quantities available.Valid for new users only.
    I recently watched a video with @JKenjiLopezAlt over on @NYTCooking (link below) of him making the "Crispiest Roast Potatoes" Then I fell down a rabbit hole of crispy roasted potato recipes and I noticed that they almost all followed the SAME Exact formula....
    3 lbs potato, 2 tbsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda... Why?
    Well from what I can find it started with Kenji Lopez Alt 7 years ago when he was perfecting his roasted potato recipe and it seems everyone followed.
    So really I wanted to test the secrets for myself!
    Referenced videos
    NYT Cooking • Kenji’s Secrets for th...
    @internetshaquille • Why Aren't Your Potato...
    Food Lab • The Food Lab: How to R...
    @foodwishes • Crispy Oven-Roasted Br...
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    Recipes SauceStache.com
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Komentáře • 365

  • @SauceStache
    @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci +7

    Sponsor: Visit mistplay.com/Stache & use my code STACHE50 inside the app to get 50 free points!

    • @sablebrown9196
      @sablebrown9196 Před 4 měsíci +1

      It won't let me comment on the front page. So I'm here. How about a little corn starch for crispiness?

    • @misterhat5823
      @misterhat5823 Před 3 měsíci +4

      There's almost as much sales pitch as there is content and it's in the middle of the video too. And for a crap sponsor. Too bad I have only one thumbs down to give.

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 3 měsíci +2

      Corn starch would totally add a bit of crisp, but the potato starch naturally will just taste better imo

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 3 měsíci +2

      @misterhat5823 must be hard going through life expecting everything exactly how you want it and for free.
      When I was growing up we had 3 commercials 3 times in the middle of every show we watched. It was free tv so someone had to pay the bills. I never see a sponsor from a creator and get mad, maybe it’s because what I do but to me I enjoy them. It’s good to see hard working people, running businesses being successful… but hey. Keep complaining over 60 skippable seconds, sorry it was such an inconvenience to your fragility.

    • @misterhat5823
      @misterhat5823 Před 3 měsíci +1

      @@SauceStache Must be hard being a shill.

  • @justinguitarcia
    @justinguitarcia Před 4 měsíci +181

    Kenji was a test cook and editor for americas test kitchen, serious eats, cooks illustrated and nyt cooking (sometimes). Safe to say hes spearheaded a many technique and recipe

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci +29

      Thanks for the info! I didnt know about americas test kitchen... I knew everywhere else!

    • @SewFun
      @SewFun Před 3 měsíci +3

      @@SauceStache When he worked at ATK he also came up with the famous Vodka pie crust recipe ...but that resulted in some controversy when he left. I believe he wasn't allowed to use it or talk about it or something.

    • @themountain59
      @themountain59 Před 3 měsíci +8

      Even though its not his invention...bicarbonate is used for potatoes for ages in Germany.😉

    • @ml.2770
      @ml.2770 Před 3 měsíci +4

      My grandmother always parboiled potatoes in baking soda before baking. This technique is old.

    • @TastyBitesMike
      @TastyBitesMike Před 3 měsíci +1

      They are yymmy

  • @atrotsiuk
    @atrotsiuk Před 4 měsíci +206

    I wish you’d tested a potato batch parboiled with only water for comparison purposes

  • @dottiedot7845
    @dottiedot7845 Před 4 měsíci +64

    For super crispy potatoes (uk version). Use good floury potatoes (maris piper are excellent). Parboil them (But not too much). Drain and allow to steam dry. Dry the pan put the potatoes back in. Add plenty of salt, a teeny whiff of white pepper and a good dusting of flour. Put the lid on and shake the daylights out of them to rough up the surface and coat the fluff in flour. Lid off, good dose of oil and toss gently to coat. Into a very hot oven, like inferno hot, on the top shelf and in your thinnest roasting tin - pre-heated with just enough oil to stop them sticking, no more. Turn occasionally. Cook till golden brown and crunchy. Anyone eating these will fall in love with you!

    • @Call-me-Al
      @Call-me-Al Před 4 měsíci +3

      Thank you!!

    • @MazTheMeh16
      @MazTheMeh16 Před 4 měsíci +5

      Yess! Roughing up the edges makes such a big difference!!

    • @TigerGreene
      @TigerGreene Před 4 měsíci +2

      Maris Piper are exclusively grown and sold in the UK. For those in the US, Idaho Russet are a pretty good, floury substitute.

    • @jontrewfrombarry
      @jontrewfrombarry Před 4 měsíci +4

      If you use semolina instead of flour you get a much better crunch. IMHO King Edwards are the best potato to use but Maris are okay if you can't get them

    • @iesika7387
      @iesika7387 Před 3 měsíci

      @@jontrewfrombarrySemolina is just a variety of flour used for making pasta and couscous so i’m confused by this comment.

  • @namlem_
    @namlem_ Před 4 měsíci +45

    FYI pH is a log scale so citric acid with a pH of 2 is actually 10 times as acidic (concentration of H+ ions) as vinegar with its pH of 3.

    • @fletchoid
      @fletchoid Před 3 měsíci +3

      His statement made me cringe too.

    • @slicedtoad
      @slicedtoad Před 3 měsíci +4

      Also, concentration matters. If you dilute something with a pH of 2 by 10x, you get a pH of 3 for your solution. The pH of the citric acid water is likely not the same as lemon juice.

    • @TheDuckofDoom.
      @TheDuckofDoom. Před 3 měsíci +5

      pH is the intensity of the solution as a ratio of protons to hydroxyl ions, not the overall concentration of acid; citric acid doesn't have a pH, neither does baking soda or glacial acetic acid (A specific vinegar sample can have pH because it is a specific solution of ingredients). "Total acidity" (concentration) is another matter and indicates buffering and reaction capacity even if the starting pH is comparable.
      The strength of an acid is actually measured as pKa value, and multi-protic acids like citrus have multiple pKa values, one for each location on the molecule. The pKa tends to be the pH where an acid like to buffer. (The technical definition is something closer to the pH that causes 50% proton dissociation of a specific proton site in a dilute solution.)

    • @JasonTheCheeseGuy
      @JasonTheCheeseGuy Před 3 měsíci

      I was hopping in to say something similar, but even more importantly is concentration- while white vinegar out of the bottle is usually a 3-5% concentration of Acetic acid, powdered Citric acid is usually 88% (or more!) pure.

    • @cuckedbylightning
      @cuckedbylightning Před 3 měsíci

      we are herevto cook not to math

  • @Lyvvie
    @Lyvvie Před 3 měsíci +27

    UK chef Gary Rhodes taught us the secret to the perfect roast potatoes in the 90's and it was to toss the cooked potato in a collander a few times to get the outsides fluffy before putting into the oven - it's the potato fluff that makes the crispy. Baking soda may be doing that in the pan but it's not required. Just toss the taters a few times while hot and steaming before adding the seasoning.

    • @joshuapreston4846
      @joshuapreston4846 Před 3 měsíci

      or, score the outside with a fork - let that EVOO soak in! fwiw it seems I can throw anything on the Weber that's salted and oiled - asparagus, beans, potatoes,
      EGGPLANT (a total EVOO sponge) and of course, steak 😊 (don't forget capsicum! or perhaps that's better with the skin burnt off in a seperate process) - I don't think it's just the flavour that's added, there's a kind of osmosis ...

    • @coyotegeek
      @coyotegeek Před 3 měsíci +1

      That's actually another step that's part of Kenji's recipe that was mentioned here.

    • @westonboi66
      @westonboi66 Před 3 měsíci +1

      Also taking potatoes to the very edge and letting them cool then into very hot oil.

  • @schweppes59
    @schweppes59 Před 3 měsíci +13

    I've been cooking for 50 years but my roast veges: potatoes, pumpkin, sweet potato etc are always crisp because I dust them with Corn Starch while they're in the oven. Corn Starch works by soaking up the moisture as it does when you use to thicken gravy & sauces etc & when sprinkled on roast vege. in the oven, it does the same.
    Couple teaspoons max. is all it takes. crunchy outside, soft & fluffy inside.

  • @Trizza84
    @Trizza84 Před 4 měsíci +6

    I do this all the time with just salt in the water - works great. Give them a good shake in the colander after draining so they get a really good thicks starchy layer happening. Then I just roast on a high temperature until they turn super golden and crispy looking. It works phenomenally well to air fry them afterwards, 200C for 20 minutes in ours! Always a massive hit.

  • @stephensano9156
    @stephensano9156 Před 4 měsíci +11

    I'm happy you did this test! The only bias from the original test restraints was that the two acid-additive potatoes received 10 extra minutes at 400. I wonder if the baking soda potatoes went longer they may have caramelized more adding more crunch? Or, if oil was added to coat the potatoes on the flip at 20 minutes, would the potatoes all have been crispier?

  • @mmmhorsesteaks
    @mmmhorsesteaks Před 3 měsíci +5

    Thing is: the maillard reaction is base-catalyzed. Not so much acid-catalyzed.
    Put the baking soda in the oven first; might come out even better.
    The bicarbonate should change to carbonate which is more basic.

  • @wonderfaller
    @wonderfaller Před 4 měsíci +31

    I used to work at Mc Donald's in 1988 and they made us rinse the (already cut) potatos at least SEVEN TIMES or until water becomes transparent. The idea is to get rid of all the STARCH. BTW, GREAT VIDEO as usual, dear Mark.

    • @tkjho
      @tkjho Před 4 měsíci +7

      that may not have anything to do with the texture, but as a means to make the oil last longer because there would be a lot less burnt particles

    • @danjohnson6039
      @danjohnson6039 Před 3 měsíci +1

      I was under the impression that McDonald's had switched to frozen potatoes by the 1970s.

    • @TheDuckofDoom.
      @TheDuckofDoom. Před 3 měsíci

      @@tkjho It has some effect on texture but very little effect on the oil, many restaurants do it. Particles actually seem attracted to potatoes to the point a batch of fries after a bunch of breaded/floured foods can help clarify the oil.(though that batch of fries comes out pretty ugly). Pre-salted foods will however substantially speed the break down of the oil.

  • @islandsedition
    @islandsedition Před 3 měsíci +23

    I did a test of my own with some interesting results. I made up a solution of sodium hydroxide and another one of sulphuric acid and popped both in their own spray bottles.
    I ran two simultaneous tests in the same kitchen at the same time, using equal amounts of potatoes with ovens set to gas mark 7.
    Rather than boiling them in the solutions I chose to boil first, toss in oil and then spray the potatoes periodically (roughly every 5 minutes) whilst I'm the oven.
    The sulphuric potatoes has a sort of caustic aroma, which quite frankly made my eyes bleed a little, whilst the sodium potatoes took on a soapy look. Again, a little sting to the eyes.
    After finishing the test I was rushed to the hospital and I have been able to clos my eyes a little. I'm not sure how the potatoes turned out but I'm pretty sure they must have looked great because the paramedics said they couldn't believe what they were looking at.
    Next time, I'm going to try boiling the potatoes in natural seawater. I don't want to shock the potatoes with conventional heating, so I will try gently raising the temperature through a process I've read about called hydrolysis. This should keep all the flavour whilst getting rid of any volatiles.

    • @TheDuckofDoom.
      @TheDuckofDoom. Před 3 měsíci

      You try to joke but the only ridiculous part is using a spray bottle to apply these during cooking. A sodium hydroxide dip is is how pretzels get their deep browning. Sulfuric acid is why onion vapors make your eyes irritated, and hydrochloric acid (roughly equal to sulfuric in strength) is used to hydrolyse soybeans into fake soysauce.

  • @stellarvelocityable
    @stellarvelocityable Před 4 měsíci +11

    I know it would have been additional work but you really needed a control potato - even just a small batch of just parboiled and roasted potato (singular) with just butter. I have a feeling the scores might have played differently.

    • @stevenleonmusic
      @stevenleonmusic Před 3 měsíci +2

      And also cook them all for the same amount of time. What was his metric for determining doneness? Maybe the baking soda potatoes weren't at peak crispiness because they actually needed 10 more minutes like the other two batches.

  • @MerleONeal
    @MerleONeal Před 4 měsíci +9

    Today's my lucky day, I just got a pound of potatoes at the grocery store

  • @galopeian
    @galopeian Před 3 měsíci

    The baking soda method is so good. Having parboiled potatoes with roasted brussel sprouts is heavenly

  • @jawzobang8062
    @jawzobang8062 Před 4 měsíci

    Thanks I am always making roasted potatoes but never thought to boil in anything except water but I normally use oil and butter to get the crust, but now I know a better way, thanks.

  • @urbugnmetoday3183
    @urbugnmetoday3183 Před 3 měsíci +2

    I never boil my roasted potatoes, I soak em for a while, dry them , toss in olive oil and a few seasonings…always very crispy

    • @TastyBitesMike
      @TastyBitesMike Před 3 měsíci

      Boil is good to fluff them up for crisp!

    • @urbugnmetoday3183
      @urbugnmetoday3183 Před 3 měsíci

      @@TastyBitesMike I think it’s not needed…no difference

  • @waynoswaynos
    @waynoswaynos Před 3 měsíci +3

    For par boiling. Acid holds the spud together, alkaline blows it apart. But, spuds are either waxy or starchy. Alkaline might be be better for waxy spuds, to make em more starchy/pillowy but will turn a starchy spud to moosh. Fast food chains par boil in vinegar, then freeze and fry. Saves time and makes the best fries.

    • @JasonTheCheeseGuy
      @JasonTheCheeseGuy Před 3 měsíci

      We started dabbling with roasties this winter (and yup, started with the Kenji version!) Reds are too solid and don't crisp up too well, Yukons get a gentle crispiness but get very creamy (my favorite), while Russets get super crispy outside and fluffy inside (my wife's favorite). Will mention that we're not veg/vegan, so we used a variety of animal-based fats and really preferred the saturated fats the most. If you go for another round of testing, perhaps compare & contrast oils!

  • @adamgm84
    @adamgm84 Před 3 měsíci +1

    thanks for the breakdown, love the multiple type test

  • @tamcon72
    @tamcon72 Před 4 měsíci +14

    This is very useful because potatoes are among the few vegetables that are still reasonably priced right now, ha! Thanks for doing the research and thanks for posting!

    • @courrierdebois
      @courrierdebois Před 4 měsíci

      ... not if you buy organic potatoes and why would you buy anything other than organic potatoes, unless you like eating potatoes grown in nutrient depleted soils with synthetic fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides?

    • @tamcon72
      @tamcon72 Před 4 měsíci +1

      @@courrierdebois Organic potatoes are not necessarily more expensive; where I am they are about the same price as non-organic. Also, where I am there are smaller potato farms that are growing in soil that is still viable, with minimal synthetic inputs.

    • @courrierdebois
      @courrierdebois Před 4 měsíci

      @@tamcon72 You are lucky, my friend. Where I live, non organic potatoes, (dependent on the season) cost around $2.00 for 5 lbs to $2.00 for 10 lbs. Orgs cost around $7.00 for between 3 & 5 lbs, always.

    • @tamcon72
      @tamcon72 Před 4 měsíci

      @@courrierdebois Yes, the prices vary radically from one area of a country or globe to the next. And the things that have the lowest demand are frequently more costly, as is generally the case with organic produce.

    • @homebrewerstan
      @homebrewerstan Před 4 měsíci +2

      Potatoes are not really a vegetable, they are a starchy carb, like rice or pasta, but I sure like them.

  • @JTMusicbox
    @JTMusicbox Před 4 měsíci +3

    Those came out awesome! Definitely gonna try ‘em. Also Id be curious to see how the experiment would turn out with 3 different bases instead of 2 acids and a base. Like I’ve had pretzels made with either baking soda or lye and there’s a difference.

  • @Torbikini
    @Torbikini Před 3 měsíci +1

    I think the baking soda ones cooked faster because they’re on a darker pan. It’s very common in baking to adjust cooking times based on light vs dark pan. Great video! 😊

  • @robertcringely7348
    @robertcringely7348 Před 4 měsíci +5

    And if you had baked the baking soda potatoes 10 minutes longer like the other two? Well then you would have been a REAL scientist.

  • @RealJonzuk
    @RealJonzuk Před 4 měsíci

    this works really good for shallow pan fried fries i used to do it all the time, i use vinegar for skinny cut fries works great to get that perfect crisp

  • @Blakeneyd
    @Blakeneyd Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you so much! I work with paper and I really struggle with cutting a straight line!

  • @McCaffreyPickleball
    @McCaffreyPickleball Před 4 měsíci +3

    The quickest way to my heart is crispy roasted potatoes

  • @zerorespect958
    @zerorespect958 Před 4 měsíci +2

    I boil them, let them fully dry, next coat with avocado oil & last put them in an air cooker.

  • @Benni-rp9or
    @Benni-rp9or Před 4 měsíci

    That really is s great method for roasting potatoes, I've done it a few times and it's hard to put them down

  • @TheAlastairBrown
    @TheAlastairBrown Před 4 měsíci +3

    A vital part is letting them steam till cool. I use the soda, add tumeric(color) and thyme to the boiling water, drain them off, shake them with the lid on to get that mush all over them, on tray till cold and firm. Melt some beef tallow(by far the best) in a bowl, and roll them in that, place onto a hot oven tray. Add your herbs/garlic after 30 mins when you flip them. Serve immediately. These are great bringing for dinner at family gatherings because you can arrive on the tray and just shove in the oven.

  • @ytubechannel997
    @ytubechannel997 Před 4 měsíci

    Thanks for doing the comparisons.

  • @susanholl5994
    @susanholl5994 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I needed this. I made some really bad roasted potatoes recently.

  • @amberkokoro5723
    @amberkokoro5723 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Would you get better crispier home fries pretreating with the soda/ vinegar and parboiling before deep frying?

  • @engineerncook6138
    @engineerncook6138 Před 4 měsíci +1

    The pH of an acid solution depends on the acid and the concentration of the acid. Citric acid is a bit stronger than acetic acid in a molecule to molecule comparison. In these example the citric acid pot has a much higher concentration (8 times more acid molecules) than the vinegar pot (1/2 tsp solid citric acid vs 1/2 tsp vinegar which is 5% acetic acid). The difference in pH will be greater than shown in the chart for lemon juice and vinegar. Rough calculations say the citric acid pot was pH=2.67 and the vinegar pot was pH=3.88. Vinegar straight from the bottle is pH=2.41
    Kenji uses 2 tablespoons (6 teaspoons) of vinegar when boiling potatoes for potato salad or blanching potatoes for french fries. The acid (lower pH) slows the breakdown of pectin that holds the potato cell together giving a smoother, firmer exterior to the cooked potato pieces. Baking soda (higher pH) speeds up the breakdown of pectin giving a softer more crumbly cooked exterior. Two tablespoons of 5% vinegar in 2 quarts of water is pH=3.47. To get the equivalent pH=2.67 found in citric acid pot with vinegar, you would have to mix about 5.5 cups water with 2.5 cups (120 tsp) vinegar.

    • @MightyDrunken
      @MightyDrunken Před 3 měsíci

      Very interesting. For the baking soda, the high PH encourages the Maillard reaction. This a reaction between reducing sugars and proteins at high temperatures, that give a brown colour and really tasty flavour to seared meats and baked goods. This is why it looked like the baking soda potatoes were cooked before the others, they had more of the brown tasty baked flavours. This is probably why they were not as crispy, they looked cooked but were not as baked.
      To improve the comparison, a control without acid or base should be used and the baking soda potatoes should be cooked for the same amount of time.

  • @manuelvelasco3741
    @manuelvelasco3741 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Here in Argentina there is a very traditional recipe for pumpkins in syrup (Zapallo en almíbar). In this recipe, the first step is to leave the pumpkin pieces in lime (calcium oxide) for 8 hours to form a crunchy outer layer. I wonder if the effect of the lime would be the same over the patato starches.

  • @CeeCee-cx6ks
    @CeeCee-cx6ks Před 4 měsíci

    Love this - thanks. Potatoes are LIFE!

  • @joshuapreston4846
    @joshuapreston4846 Před 3 měsíci +1

    ooh - I wonder if bicarb par-poiled could have vinegar added to the olive oil before baking .... I'm gonna have to try!

  • @ldtriplesix
    @ldtriplesix Před 3 měsíci

    My Mom was using the baking soda method when I was a kid in the 70s. She learned it from her Mom, who learned it from working in a diner in the 40s and 50s.

  • @edsalinas9996
    @edsalinas9996 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Another technique, is to shake the potatoes after you par boil them in the colander. Aggressively! It'll give it rustic, roughed up, exterior.

  • @archdukeofsynth
    @archdukeofsynth Před 4 měsíci +2

    Baking soda was a known diner secret way before 2007 to make crispy home fries. Use more baking soda, though.

  • @gohawks3571
    @gohawks3571 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Potatoes FOR THE WIN!!! But seriously, thank you 😋🥔

  • @komocka
    @komocka Před 4 měsíci +1

    It is not surprising that Maillard reactions occur faster at higher pH values!

  • @jamesdunlap3962
    @jamesdunlap3962 Před 3 měsíci +1

    Good episode! It would be interesting to see if any tops baking soda (something more basic).

  • @earfdae
    @earfdae Před 4 měsíci +2

    As a heads up, you may know, but Kenji worked at ATK/Cook's; so he may have even developed the ATK recipe. ;)

  • @JA99
    @JA99 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I will have to give this a try, but Gaz Oakley's method and recipe is by far the best roasted potatoes I've ever made.

  • @katiegalactichealthandfitness
    @katiegalactichealthandfitness Před 4 měsíci +1

    Yay Monica’s back! Potatoes all looked bomb

  • @kristoferkrus
    @kristoferkrus Před 3 měsíci

    Nice experiment; I will definitely try the baking soda variant! I think you should also try using baked baking soda (i.e. sodium carbonate, what you get from roasting baking soda in the oven) in one batch (I think I may try that too).

  • @Awaken218
    @Awaken218 Před 4 měsíci

    Dang rabbit holes😂. I’ll be down this one for a while because it looks delicious!

  • @friesencj1
    @friesencj1 Před 4 měsíci +3

    Great test. Would have liked to know the pH of the water once each ingredient was added. Sure we can look at the chart but with your water source what impact did it have. I’m just being a science geek-wondering where the optimum pH level really is. Of course the type of potato also influences the outcome. I understand baking potatoes like russets are better than using a waxy boiling potato.

  • @jab5444
    @jab5444 Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you… just what I was looking for

  • @jwall6006
    @jwall6006 Před 4 měsíci +6

    I wonder if this would work with other root vegetables.

  • @fhnmor21
    @fhnmor21 Před 4 měsíci +2

    It seems that acids did not do too well. you could try Sodium Carbonate (used for Ramen) and / or Sodium Hydroxide (used in Pretzels)

  • @lmelior
    @lmelior Před 4 měsíci +1

    The vinegar thing reminds me of the trick where you basically pickle brine french fries and they apparently come out super crispy. Joshua Weissman just recently made a video on viral TikTok recipes and that was one of them (spoiler alert: it was the only recipe they labeled S tier).

  • @yogachick1955
    @yogachick1955 Před 3 měsíci

    The reason your potatoes didn't get as crispy as you would like is that your heat wasn't high enough. After learning the white vinegar in the water potato trick, I never do my oven potatoes any other way. I boil them for at least 10 minutes after the water's come to a boil, then I drain them, toss the oil on them while they're still in that pan and hot, throw them in the baking tray, and cook them for 35 minutes at 425°. They come out so crunchy that your neighbor can hear you eat your potato and yet, the insides are still pillowy and soft

  • @lloydfromfar
    @lloydfromfar Před 3 měsíci

    Finally a CZcams video worth watching! :O :D

  • @lesliekanengiser8482
    @lesliekanengiser8482 Před 4 měsíci +1

    I rather like the trying different recipes/products videos you've done lately. The vegan cream cheese one and this one have been fun and informative. (And I'm not even plant based). You're just a great content creator.

  • @nemakis
    @nemakis Před 3 měsíci

    The high pH (baking soda) makes the food soften and consequently dissolve more easily. This soft texture becomes fluffy and crispy when fried/baked.
    On the contrary, the citric acid and vinegar that you used in the test, because of the low pH, tightens the texture.

  • @musikSkool
    @musikSkool Před 4 měsíci +2

    I wonder if the amount of every ingredient was optimal. You could easily double the vinegar or citric acid but you can't really put in too much baking soda before it starts to adversely affect flavor.

  • @michaelmayo3127
    @michaelmayo3127 Před 3 měsíci

    The secret is in `throwing `them on the baking paper, as opposed to laying them!! They also say that the potato variety has a bearing on the tast. Belgians always use the Bintje variety when frying French-fries. And funny enough, French-fries have their origin from Belgium.

  • @TylerTyphoon
    @TylerTyphoon Před 4 měsíci +1

    I’ve been using the baking soda method for years (a bit too much of a potato fan 😆). Russets are not my favorite for this method though.
    I’ve had great success with the baby gold potatoes from Publix just sliced in half. Also have had good success with the smaller red potatoes. Both seem to crisp up way better.

    • @jontrewfrombarry
      @jontrewfrombarry Před 3 měsíci

      but doesn't baking soda destroy the vitamin content?

  • @charleslamastus512
    @charleslamastus512 Před 3 měsíci

    Maybe an apple cider vinegar would be a good marriage between the acids.

  • @nimfenzwanner
    @nimfenzwanner Před 4 měsíci +1

    Nice experiment, solid proces throughout. For the experiments sake i wonder though if using the same half a tea spoon for each variable ingredient might mess up the comparison, each ingredient requires its own measure for a better outcome. Im sticking with baking soda though 😅

  • @roku3216
    @roku3216 Před 4 měsíci +2

    I love a good potato taste test.

  • @DennisBLee
    @DennisBLee Před 4 měsíci +1

    In my experience it has less to do with altering the PH of the water and more to do with agitating the potatoes enough that you break up the starchy surface and create a lot of surface area after you've drained the water

  • @stephenlines9431
    @stephenlines9431 Před 3 měsíci

    1/2 teaspoon of pure citric acid powder is prabably a LOT more acidic than 1/2 teaspoon of vinager (which is basically acetic acid dissolved in water), hence the difference maybe?. Beyond that it's probably very 'chemistry' stuff like minimoles, and I failed chemistry spectacularly, so take this with a pinch of sodium chloride.
    Great that you are doing open research on such an important topic. Watching this to see if you and your subscribers can come up with a genuinely definitive answer.
    Agree with atrotsiuk - high quality research needs proper control measures.
    Double-blind with placebo is the 'gold standard'. The world deserves the best answer to this. Keep it coming please!

  • @bertiew6771
    @bertiew6771 Před 3 měsíci

    I'd like to see the baking powder potatoes coated in flour to increase the crispiness. I'm certainly going to give it a go.

  • @annhalton1963
    @annhalton1963 Před 3 měsíci

    I don't parboil. I just cut them into chunks, coat them with salt, pepper, garlic powder and oil. Then roast.

  • @lynnsarraille7360
    @lynnsarraille7360 Před 4 měsíci +1

    The % of acid between water based vinegar and a powder of citric acid might result in a large difference between the two for acid percentages.

  • @danpreston564
    @danpreston564 Před 3 měsíci

    I just add semolina to the parboiled potatoes to get my crunch. Shake them up to get some broken edges and they’re great.

  • @garyphisher7375
    @garyphisher7375 Před 3 měsíci

    Par boil. Strain and toss 3 or 4 times in a plastic colander. Place in baking tray of hot oil. Add a couple os spoons of flour, some Paprika, salt and pepper. Easy peasy lemon squeasy.

  • @Dr_Bombay
    @Dr_Bombay Před 3 měsíci

    i've used Kenji's recipe ever since he put it out there. it's the best, for sure. maybe if you had given it 10 extra mins like the other two (instead of the original recipe target time), it would've hit the level of crispiness you were hoping for?

  • @AustynSN
    @AustynSN Před 3 měsíci

    I wonder how lye (used for commercially made pretzels) would compare to the baking soda (often used as a lye substitute in homemade pretzels).

  • @RayPerkins01
    @RayPerkins01 Před 3 měsíci

    Choice of potato variety matters. King Edwards and Maris Piper are the best I know.

  • @jamesedwards2687
    @jamesedwards2687 Před 4 měsíci

    Thanks for this presentation. Good info.

  • @jonabub
    @jonabub Před 3 měsíci +1

    Grandma's in Germany cook with natron which is an essential component of baking soda .
    nothing new about that.
    still love to see crispy potatoes being the new standard in the world's kitchens.

    • @FrankReiter
      @FrankReiter Před 3 měsíci

      I think sodium bicarbonate is a component of natron, not the other way around.

    • @jonabub
      @jonabub Před 3 měsíci

      sodium bicarbonate IS natron @@FrankReiter

    • @FrankReiter
      @FrankReiter Před 3 měsíci

      @@jonabubNot according to Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natron

  • @silvamark00
    @silvamark00 Před 3 měsíci

    Any thoughts to blending with both citric acid and baking soda?

  • @MsK-xm7vw
    @MsK-xm7vw Před 3 měsíci +1

    The best crispy roasted potatoes I ever had were my grandmother's. Parboiled in water and salt, drained, then shaken inside two colanders to create edges. She always preheated the roasting pan with a little bit of lard (they harvested a couple pigs every year and lard was superior) and then roasted the potatoes, turning halfway through. Perfect every time! Every time!

  • @VeganDoris
    @VeganDoris Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you for using vegan butter and providing a vegan recipe!😊🥔

  • @foturkey2738
    @foturkey2738 Před 4 měsíci +9

    @2:00 It’s cool to see you and Monica just lounging.

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci +5

      This is a normal night for us hahaha actually now we are both reading some new books so we put away the electronics a bit more recently

  • @lecoeur1231
    @lecoeur1231 Před 4 měsíci +4

    Looks yummy

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci

      It was... they all came out pretty dang good!

  • @ravenclawrenee
    @ravenclawrenee Před 4 měsíci +9

    Most of the recipes I've seen tell you to shake them around a bunch after the parboiling step to kinda fluff up the exterior. I wonder if that would make them more crispy? Buuuuuutttt, I've never successfully made them crispy so what do I know😂

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci +4

      I did try to rough them up a bit as I stirred... but not too much to break them up.... I wonder what is going on with your uncrispy potato?

    • @ravenclawrenee
      @ravenclawrenee Před 4 měsíci +4

      @SauceStache likely a lack of patience 🫣

    • @SauceStache
      @SauceStache  Před 4 měsíci +4

      haha that happens, dont feel bad

    • @susanarojo3906
      @susanarojo3906 Před 4 měsíci

      Cook them whole 2:30 minutes in your microwave then just peel, slice and roast them I’m an cast iron with a bit of oil and salt and pepper

    • @TastyBitesMike
      @TastyBitesMike Před 3 měsíci

      The rougher the edges the crispier!

  • @KurtisSaiyo
    @KurtisSaiyo Před 3 měsíci +1

    I wonder if you could take it a step further and use hydrated Lime for an even more basic solution.

  • @extraincomesuz
    @extraincomesuz Před 4 měsíci

    I'm going to cook mine in the air fryer to see how it goes.😊

  • @alfwatt
    @alfwatt Před 3 měsíci

    The citric acid is 100% pure acid, the Vinegar is likely to be around 5%, so using the same volume means citric got a lot more acid.

  • @jakobbrun6535
    @jakobbrun6535 Před 4 měsíci

    Its possible the difference between vinegar and citric acid is, in fact, the pH. You note they have similar pH levels, but pH is not an intrinsic property of an acid. It is concentration dependent, and also depends on the strength of the individual acid. Citric acid and acetic acid (the acid found in vinegar) are both weak acids, but rough estimates:
    ½ teaspoon of citric acid is ~2,5 grams. With a molar mass of 192 g/mol that is 0,013 moles, dissolved in 1,9 liters of water for a concentration of 0,007 moles per liter. The pH will be roughly 2,7.
    ½ teaspoon of vinegar, which is typically 5% acetid acid, will be 2,5*0,05 grams = 0,125 grams of acetid acid. Molar mass is 44 g/mol, so that gives us 0,0028 moles of acetic acid to 1,9 liters of water, or 0,0015 moles per liter. The pH of such a solution will be 3,8.
    Keeping in mind each step on the pH scale is a factor of 10 in the relative strength of acid present, this is quite a significant difference.

  • @jpaulnatale
    @jpaulnatale Před 4 měsíci

    What is the baking soda got subbed with washing soda or caustic soda, like with pretzels?

  • @Bill-wz6tw
    @Bill-wz6tw Před 3 měsíci

    I always thought the secret was to dry them off really good and put them in the freezer for a little bit to get rid of the excess moisture but heck i cut up potatoes and fry them straight away just turn up the temperature of your oil really high to force the moisture out but as far as roasting goes I don't know.

  • @_just_looking_thank_you
    @_just_looking_thank_you Před 4 měsíci

    Wondering about shio koji potatoes. Or does that only work its magic on proteins?

  • @sjvche7675
    @sjvche7675 Před 4 měsíci +1

    Chem. E. in me coming out. More vinegar, it's only 5% maybe acetic acid.

  • @marialauraweems7553
    @marialauraweems7553 Před 3 měsíci

    Ok, no: coat in olive oil and a bit of coarse salt; spread on a baking sheet, add a few garlic cloves and a few springs of fresh rosemary.

  • @PeterSFam
    @PeterSFam Před 3 měsíci

    To account for difference between citric acid and vinegar, in addition to the aforementioned pH is a log scale so citric acid is 10x more acidic; you did not use equivalent amounts with vinegar being a 5% solution of acetic acid and the powder citric acid presumably 100% citric acid.

  • @ScarletFoundryTarot
    @ScarletFoundryTarot Před 4 měsíci

    i like this video i just wish you did a plain potato control

  • @jeffsstuff
    @jeffsstuff Před 4 měsíci

    So now I have to wonder, what if I used food grade lye instead of baking soda? Similar to how you make soft pretzels, would a soak in a lye solution, with its higher ph yield a superior product?

  • @frankb5728
    @frankb5728 Před 3 měsíci

    I parboil mine but just enough that they are still firm on the interior but the exterior has gellified because of the starch. I'll drain them and toss them in a bowl to break up the exterior and expose more surface area in the air fryer.

  • @dragonfirepeach4000
    @dragonfirepeach4000 Před 4 měsíci

    Potatoes are life, and they are good.

  • @harry_bonkers
    @harry_bonkers Před 4 měsíci

    would a combo of Baking soda + Citric acid neutralize the effect?

  • @cristosl
    @cristosl Před 4 měsíci +3

    A roast potato may loose crispness from the heat dissipating from the centre, it depends on the size of the potato, you can achieve a superior result by dispensing with the additions and roughing up the outside of the potatoes after boiling, then coating them in oil/butter

  • @james10739
    @james10739 Před 3 měsíci

    I cant imagine that the backing soda would all come out and vinegar too and i assume citric acid is sour but i don't know the rest sound bad

  • @elisabethdiamond
    @elisabethdiamond Před 4 měsíci

    I wonder if you could use washing soda or lye like people do for pretzels? Both of those are more basic than baking soda.

  • @annhalton1963
    @annhalton1963 Před 3 měsíci

    Welll...let me try 12 more...juuust to make sure I get it right.😆😆😆

  • @TiliaHearth
    @TiliaHearth Před 4 měsíci

    I really believed the winner would be vinegar, surprising, need to try the baking soda. :)