The True King Of The Crop: 5 Shocking Facts About The World's Heaviest Potato (And The Giant Tuber That Tried To Steal The Crown)

The world's largest potato is a title that ignites the imagination, conjuring images of a monstrous tuber that could feed a small village. As of today, December 18, 2025, the official Guinness World Record for the heaviest potato remains a feat of horticultural mastery that has stood for over a decade, but the true story of the record is far more dramatic than a simple weigh-in. It involves a massive, 17-pound pretender, a viral internet sensation, and a scientific DNA test that exposed a shocking identity crisis.

This article dives deep into the official record holder, the specialized world of giant vegetable growing, and the recent, sensational challenge by a New Zealand couple whose find, affectionately named "Dug" or "Doug," was ultimately disqualified, leaving the long-standing champion firmly on his throne.

The Undisputed Champion: Peter Glazebrook and His 11-Pound Tuber

The current, verified world record for the heaviest potato belongs to British giant vegetable grower, Peter Glazebrook. His achievement represents the pinnacle of dedication and horticultural precision, setting a standard that has yet to be beaten by a genuine *Solanum tuberosum* (the common potato species).

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Peter Glazebrook: The Master of the Mammoth Vegetable

• Full Name: Peter Glazebrook
• Location: Newark, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
• Record Set: September 4, 2011
• Official Weight: 4.98 kg (10 lb 15 oz)
• Location of Weigh-in: The National Gardening Show at the Royal Bath & West Showground
• Other Records: Glazebrook is a serial record-breaker, also holding the Guinness World Records for the heaviest cauliflower and the heaviest aubergine (eggplant), establishing him as a legend in the giant vegetable growing community.

Glazebrook’s record-breaking potato, often described as a "monster from Britain," was the result of meticulous care and specialized growing techniques. Achieving such a weight requires precise control over soil composition, nutrient delivery, and environmental factors. For over a decade, this impressive tuber has been the benchmark for all aspiring giant vegetable growers.

The Contender: Dug the 17-Pound Tuber That Wasn't a Potato

In late 2021, the world of giant vegetables was rocked by the discovery of a massive, lumpy tuber in New Zealand that appeared to shatter Glazebrook's long-standing record. Colin and Donna Craig-Brown, a couple from Ngāhinapōuri near Hamilton, accidentally unearthed the giant specimen while weeding their garden.

The Rise and Fall of 'Dug' (or 'Doug')

The couple named their find "Dug" (sometimes referred to as "Doug") and quickly submitted an application to Guinness World Records. Its unofficial weight was a staggering 7.8 kg (17 pounds), which would have easily surpassed the 4.98 kg official record.

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Dug became an overnight sensation, gaining international media attention and sparking a global conversation about the potential new king of the crop. The Craig-Browns treated Dug like a celebrity, taking it on walks in a small cart and keeping it in their freezer after it began to shrivel.

The Shocking DNA Test and Disqualification

The dream of holding a world record came to an abrupt end in 2022 when Guinness World Records (GWR) confirmed the results of a DNA test. The test, which is a mandatory part of the verification process for such claims, revealed that Dug was not a potato (*Solanum tuberosum*) at all.

Instead, the giant lump was identified as the tuber of a gourd, possibly a type of wild cucumber. While still an impressive botanical curiosity, it could not qualify in the "heaviest potato" category. The rejection letter from GWR was a disappointing but necessary formality, ensuring the integrity of the record books. This controversy highlights the strict scientific criteria that must be met to claim a world record title, particularly in the competitive field of giant produce.

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What Makes a True Record Potato: The Science of Size

The saga of Dug versus Glazebrook underscores the difference between a large root vegetable and a scientifically verified potato record. The official record is not just about weight; it’s about botanical identity and the specific cultivation of the *Solanum tuberosum* species.

Key Entities in Potato Records

• *Solanum tuberosum* (The True Potato): This is the species required for the GWR record. It is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial nightshade family Solanaceae.
• Russet Burbank: A popular and large variety of potato often used for commercial processing and known for its size potential, though not the specific variety Glazebrook grew.
• Gourd Tuber: The botanical classification of 'Dug,' which disqualified it. Gourds belong to the family Cucurbitaceae, a completely different plant family from potatoes.
• The National Gardening Show: A key venue where many official giant vegetable weigh-ins, including Glazebrook's, take place, ensuring independent verification.

To grow a truly massive potato, growers like Peter Glazebrook often employ a technique known as "hilling," where soil is repeatedly piled up around the plant's stem. This process encourages the plant to produce more tubers and protects them from light, which can turn them green and toxic. Furthermore, the selection of a specific seed potato and the careful, year-round management of the plant’s nutrient intake are critical to maximizing its size potential.

While the search for the next world's largest potato continues, the record remains firmly in the hands of Peter Glazebrook. His 4.98 kg champion stands as a testament to the art of giant vegetable growing, a record untarnished even by the massive, though botanically incorrect, challenge from New Zealand's famous, but fraudulent, 'Dug.'