In Kolkata kitchens, the two common potato variants — Chandramukhi and Jyoti are not interchangeable, and making a choice between them is often deliberate. This keeps the market price for Jyoti lower, making it a more economical option for daily consumption. “Jyoti and Chandramukhi varieties were developed for specific requirements by the Central Potato Research Institute and the International Potato Centre, balancing taste, yield and adaptability. Why the difference mattersThe alu in Kolkata biryani is Chandramukhi ShutterstockThe Chandramukhi vs Jyoti is not just about which potato is better, but also about suitability. Echoing this preference, Azra Golam, sales director at Aminia restaurants, said, “For biryani, Chandramukhi is the preferred.

Source: The Telegraph April 02, 2026 09:59 UTC