There are three basic types of potatoes. One is round white potatoes. This variety is an all-purpose potato that is round in shape with a pale beige skin. This potato is a cross between waxy and mealy and is often used to make chips. It's a good potato for frying, boiling and grating to make hash browns or potato pancakes.
Some varieties are excellent bakers.
Another type is red skinned potatoes or round reds. A waxy potato, round reds are good for boiling, steaming, roasting and pan-frying. They are great in salads. Yellow flesh potatoes are the third type grown in North Carolina. Many feel this variety has a mild butter flavor.