Latvians and potatoes

Imagine a potato patch the size of approximately 13,000 football pitches! That’s how much land in Latvia was officially covered with potatoes in 2024—6892,34 hectares to be precise, or 0,107% of the country’s total area*. While produce such as pasta, rice, and quinoa has been finding its way into local diets, this humble root vegetable retains its place on the table, and Latvians are still a self-proclaimed  nation of potato lovers.

Introduced in the 17th century to what was then the Duchy of Courland—a territory that now forms part of Latvia—the potato gradually gained popularity across the region, often outcompeting grain due to its resilience and relatively modest growing requirements. Today, it remains a staple of the local diet, commonly served as a side dish with meat or fish, or taking center stage as the main attraction.

In many families, the annual potato harvest is a social occasion, bringing together relatives, friends, and neighbors for a day of manual labor, camaraderie, and—finally—a feast!

Must-eat Latvian potato dishes

Some classic dishes showcase the potato in true Latvian fashion. One of the simplest is boiled potatoes served with marinated herring and a mixture of cottage cheese and sour cream — a dish that reflects our close ties to the Baltic Sea.  Another firm favorite is potatoes smothered in a rich wild mushroom sauce, made with a base of double cream or sour cream. This one hints at our love for the outdoors and passion for foraging. Both are made even more excellent by the addition of fresh chopped dill sprinkled on top!

Not as widely available in canteens and cafes, buļbešņīki — mashed potato dumplings stuffed with meat, cabbage, or mushrooms — are a traditional comfort food from the Latgale region. If visiting Latvia, these are a special treat best enjoyed at the region’s heritage centers and visitor farms.

Indulgent potato snacks

But Latvia’s love for potatoes goes beyond the dinner table, extending to the snack aisle too, where local brands of potato chips are a popular treat. Much-loved flavors include dill, sour cream and onion, and tomato! You can even find creamy mushroom sauce flavored chips!

What’s more, not all chips in Latvia come in typical thin potato slice form. One company, Pērnes-L, makes rectangular chips acclaimed by Sarah Jessica Parker! This unusual snack is made of mashed potato and comes in an array of flavors, including the very international wasabi and bbq varieties.

If that’s not unconventional enough, one inventive bakery in Latvia even created a cake made of potatoes! The Vegantatoe brand was born from a collaboration with the scientists at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, through seeking an alternative to dairy as the main ingredient.

And so, even as it takes new forms, Latvians’ love for potatoes remains undying.

*of which 5656,43 ha potatoes, 422,52 ha seed potatoes, and 813,39 ha potatoes for starch according to data from the Rural Support Service of the Republic of Latvia.