Listers Crisps – The Journey of growing a potato to make the perfect crisps

Welcome to the world of Listers Crisps, where we love creating the finest hand-cooked crisps right here on our family farm in Yorkshire. From humble traditional beginnings we have embarked on an extraordinary journey and have committed to producing the best-tasting crisps with an impeccable crunch and a range of delicious range of flavours.

The Beginning of the Journey: Here at Listers Crisps we source our potato seeds from Grade 1 Land in the
Yorkshire Wolds, a pivotal factor for successful potato growth. The selection of grade 1 land in this Yorkshire region
ensures exceptional soil fertility, drainage, and agricultural suitability, for growing the best potatoes setting the
foundation for their journey of creating the perfect hand-cooked crisps.

Factors we consider when choosing which varieties to grow – We take into consideration various factors when
selecting which potato varieties to grow on the farm. We prioritise varieties that fry well, providing a satisfying
crunch and boasting excellent flavour characteristics. Moreover, we strategically choose potato varieties that can be
harvested and stored efficiently, ensuring a consistent supply of crisps year-round. Additionally, we select popular
potato varieties that suit our soil type and have excellent storage capabilities. Over the years, we have diligently
tested various potato varieties to identify the ones that excel in flavour, texture, and friability. We then with stick with
these proven varieties, achieving the winning combination of exceptional taste and supreme quality, which forms
the foundation of our crisp production.

Cultivation and Farming Practices: To maintain the fertility of our land for future generations, we implement sustainable farming practices. On the farm we use GPS systems to optimise farming operations, minimising mileage and reducing carbon emissions. N-sensor technology is employed during fertilizer application to precisely measure nutrient levels, allowing them to apply the right amounts. We also minimise ploughing to preserve soil structure and conducts regular soil testing to maintain soil health. We have our own agronomist who provides
expert advice on optimising crop growth and soil well-being.

Challenges of Harvesting: Harvesting presents various challenges, particularly weather-related ones. To
overcome this, the Listers team remains adaptable and work flexible hours. Additionally, we tackle the challenge of
moving machinery on roads by organising convoys during early Sunday mornings to minimise disruptions. At
Listers Crisps we grow various potato varieties for different purposes. Lady Rosetta is harvested early in the
season, typically between June and August, while Opal and Marquis are harvested later in the autumn. This
approach allows for year-round crisp production and storage.

Hand-Crafting the Crisps: We maintain the tradition of hand-cooking by crafting crisps in small batches, ensuring
careful monitoring of the production process. We season the crisps by hand to ensure even distribution of flavour.
The unseasoned crisps are transported to the seasoning area, where they travel on a vibrating conveyor to the
seasoning drum. Seasoning is carefully hand-sprinkled to ensure consistency and an even blend of flavours in each
batch.

Balanced flavours: We have achieved a balanced and delightful flavour through extensive taste testing with different seasoning variants and application levels. This perfected formula is consistently followed in every batch of Listers crisps produced. At Listers Crisps we conduct meticulous quality control checks at every station, including
visual inspections and taste testing. We also grade the potatoes for quality during the harvesting process, ensuring that only the best potatoes are used.

The Personal Touch: Our rich history and farming heritage have influenced our approach to growing and crafting the perfect potato. We like to focus on carrying forward family traditions and values, including attention to detail and hard work, which continue to shape the potato journey today.

One of the most rewarding moments for us in this journey of growing a potato is witnessing the full life cycle come to fruition at harvest. The care and attention invested in nurturing the potatoes culminate in a bountiful crop,
making all the hard work worthwhile.