Thanks for your site. The only place I can find Nicola potatoes in Melbourne is at Safeway (that’s Woolworths) sometimes, currently at $6 per small bag. Most greengrocers look cross-eyed at me and say “Never heard of Nicola – interesting because I have diabetes”. Coles ignorance is just as bad – their expertise extends to big/small, red/white and washed/unwashed – never a variety name.

Are the potato industry and retailers ever going to wake up to the big market segment that would eat potatoes if they were packaged with diabetes-friendly information? To some extent, rice has the same problem, although it’s easy to find basmati.

If government cared about the cost of diabetes care and obesity, GI testing and labelling on foods would be compulsory to assist at the prevention/early treatment stage.

I totally agree Liz, ditto.

Most greengrocers look at you cross-eyed? Almost every Melbourne greengrocer would know a Nicola amongst dozens of other varieties.

Elvis Parsley & Grapesland in Ocean Grove, VIC stock an organic Nicola for most of the year. Also try Toscano’s in Kew, Casey’s in David Jones Food Hall…….too many to list.

A Nicola is very closely related to the Dutch Cream variety. I was wondering if the Dutch Cream also had a low GI, and also wondering if there was list of GI values for all varieties?

I found this table on a grower’s website….doesn’t cover many varieties unfortunately. Desiree should be avoided by diabetics based on this:

Variety

GI
Nicola 58
Pontiac 80
Sebago 87
Desiree 101

Hi there Chris – as you’ve found out, most potatoes are high GI. Which makes the Nicolas extra special! The Sydney University glycemic group have an excellent website which includes a searchable database of foods – it’s here. They’ve tested a few different varieties – Nicolas still come out as one of the best.

Have found Nicola at Woolworths Westfield ,Hornsby, Sydney

Looking for the Nicola potato in Melbourne. Does anyone know where I can get them?

Thanks Liz. It pays to read ALL the blog comments! My question is answered in the first one! Sorry.

Glenda – a good fruit and veg store should also stock Nicolas. Remember that not all potatoes are in season all year round. Again a good fruit and veg store should be able to tell you when Nicolas come into season.

Rhubarb Organics Stall at Preston Market (Wed-Sat) in Melbourne almost always has Nicola potatoes & Dutch Cream. Any more news on Dutch Creams or ‘baby potatoes’?

I live in the outer eastern suburbs of Melb and have only seen the Nicola at Woolworths/Safeway.

Nicolas grow really well here in Vic. I put in acrop and got heaps. It’s a lot easier than growing other carbs like rice or wheat!

Liz and Glenda,
Nicola potatoes are regularly available at one of the main organic grocers at the Queeen Victoria Market – and for a really good price. This outlet has a number of potato varieties.

If you can’t find in your local area, I just order Nicola potatoes through my organic delivery service (Miss Organic http://www.missorganic.com.au) – they give a really good prices for Nicola’s!

I’m in melbournes west am diabetic and am after nichola low gi potatoes do you have them how much and where thanks sandy

I’ve seen Nicolas just recently @ Woolworths in Hoppers Crossing. I didn’t know they were low Gi otherwise I would’ve grabbed a kilo or 2. Are they in season at the moment?

Hi there Sandy and Jaksmaster – up until recently Nicolas have been the lowest GI potato around. But Coles have started selling Carisma potatoes which are lower again. They’re currently only available in some stores, but that will be expanding out.

Nicolas should be in season around now. I haven’t specifically looked for them recently, but I’m pretty sure they’re a spring – summer potato.

Sandy, I don’t know who specifically stocks Nicolas, I’d recommend you phone your local supermarket and any speciality fruit and veg stores in your local area. If the fruit and veg stores don’t stock, they may be able to buy a bag from the market specifically for you.

Not realising Nicola’s are low GI, I planted quite a lot in August and recently dug up 10.5 kgs of the little beauties. How lucky am I as my partner is diabetic and loooves potatoes. And they aren’t that hard to grow either.
p.s fresh spuds taste unbelievably good.

I bought some Carisma potatoes from Coles the other day, all was good but I think I found myself over indulging in them, without realizing that even though they are low Gi, 2 carisma potatoes are equivelent to 1 Desiree. Is this correct and if so you still have to be careful of how many you consume.

Where can I get Nicola potatoes in Perth? Thanks for your help. Saying that do your know whether I can get Sheppard avocados as well. I’m sure you know but they don’t go brown when stored unlike other varieties.

Can you please tell me where I can get the Carisma potato around Mandurah, WA? Have a husband who is a diabetic and this looks like the right path to follow.

Hi Rhonda, Coles supermarkets seem to be the only stockists of Carisma Potatoes. So if Mandurah has a Coles they should have some. If not I can only suggest speaking with the manager and seeing if he can order some in..

Sorry people I don’t know anything about stockists around the country. With the Carismas you could try their website, which should have some sort of contact address, and ask the question of them directly.

And yes Jaksmaster, just because they have a low GI, that doesn’t mean their kilojoule free, so it’s still easy to eat way too much of them. A serving of potatoes is one medium potato – something about the size of a computer mouse. Any more than that and you’re probably having too much.

If you’re in Sydney, the BEST place to get your potatoes, including nicolas, is at Eveleigh Farmer’s Markets, at the Carriageworks in Redfern. There’s a great potato stall there with a huge array of potato varieties that you don’t see in the shops. And YES, they do have nicolas…which are delicious!
Selling non sprayed potatoes grown in the Southern Highlands…..sooo yummy!

Oh, and the Charisma’s, which I’ve tried, don’t even compare to the Nicola’s. Taste, texture, useability, the Nicola’s are so much better and the Charisma’s don’t even rate if you ask me.
Thanks for you’re great website

I live in the regional north east of Victoria and Nicola potatoes are readily available at several IGA supermarkets I go to. They are clearly marked as being ‘Nicola’ variety. They are packed by ’RED GEM GROWERS & PACKERS P/L of Nar Nar Goon VIC 3812. I bought a two kg bag today for $4.99. That is the regular price, which I consider to be reasonable. They are washed, and usually without blemishes requiring peeling.