Potatoes’ sugars within create caramelization. This is the golden hue we see, once cooked. Some potato varieties have more or less sugars than others. One tip; when preparing potatoes, avoid overly-rinsing (a one-time rinse is fine) as this can remove some of the exposed, surface starches and sugars. Idaho russet potatoes are an excellent choice to use when you want a consistent, caramelized result.