The Jersey Royal is a variety of the International Kidney that was originally cultivated in the seaweed-rich soils of the Island of Jersey in the Channel Islands.
This potato variety, originally coined the Jersey Royal Fluke, was "discovered" in 1878 by Hugh de la Haye. At the time a wide variety of potatoes were grown in Jersey, and de la Haye by chance spotted and bought two unusual-looking and large round potatoes in a local shop.
He took them home, later inviting some friends to observe the potatoes, one of which had 15 'eyes' from which new plants could sprout. The friends then carefully cut this potato into 16 pieces and planted the pieces.
The following spring, the pieces produced a large and early crop. Although the "parent" and most of the new crop were round in shape, one potato plant produced only uniquely kidney-shaped potatoes.
It was that plant and its produce that were then carefully cultivated and soon named as the Jersey Royal that we all know and love!
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