These used to be the best, but now the buds have gotten smaller, looks like bottom of the barrel stuff and more importantly there are so many black and brown chunks of rotten potato in them now. It's absolutely disgusting. I don't mean pieces of peel, which are gross, but harmless. I mean rotten chunks of potatoes in every single carton. I'm tired of getting used to something and then companies getting greedy and ruining it with subpar ingredients.

I adjusted the recipe for 4 servings, increasing the milk in place of water. 1 cup water 1 cup milk 1 cup potatoes 2 tbsp. butter It is so easy to adjust for additional servings. I heat the water to boiling, then add the milk, and mix in the flakes with a fork. I make them a 1/2 hour before dinner, and leave on the stove on low heat.

These are the best instant potatoes on the market. If you want quick mashed potatoes these are the ones, they are easy to make and taste great. My husband thought I peeled and cooked potatoes when I fixed these. These are not just Idahoan potatoes, they are Premium, there is a difference. They only come in this large package, that I have found, but believe me when I say they are the only kind you will ever want once you taste them. I will say that I use a bit more potato flakes that the recipe calls for because I make them to our liking. But you won't be disappointed with these.

These are some of the best instant mashed potatoes I've ever tasted, quick and easy to make. For years, no matter what brand of potatoes I buy, I've made it even quicker and easier by using this trick: I usually make about 4 servings at a time, so as soon as I get a new package I split it up into zip lock baggies of 4 servings, adding salt, pepper, butter powder and powdered milk or coffee creamer, to taste. Then, as I need them I take one or two and empty them into a bowl, add boiling water, and voilà, delicious mashed potatoes in just 2 minutes! Add garlic or cheese powder for a change of pace!

Excellent, "real-tasting" mashed potatoes made without milk. Even though the "home" cooking instructions say to use milk and butter, (the commercial instructions call for water only), I used water, salt, a sprinkling of garlic powder, and some butter, and was so pleased with the result. It is interesting the Sam's description swore it took water only, but the container calls for milk for home use, however milk is absolutely not needed. There is non-fat dry milk already in the mix.

If you magnify the bottom image at the top left, it leaves the impression that this needs only water. It shows two pictures of different items and on the left, it shows that this only needs water. On the right is an entirely different product, that needs milk, butter and salt.

These are the only instant mashed potatoes I’ll eat. They’re as close to real potatoes as I can get, without being real potatoes. They have flavor, unlike some of ther brands which is like eating wallpaper paste without any flavor or mashed potato consistency.

I have always used the huge plastic bag of Idahoam Potatoes. They have been out of stock for a while, hopefully not discontinued. I have never used this product. They taste okay. I made some, then I read the ingredients. This is just a processed food, where the others were dehydrated potato flakes.

These must be a different formulation than the Idahoan you get at the grocery store. They were much better tasting, though in my estimation not quite as good as fresh. Maybe I need more milk, butter or flavorings. I will experiment next time. I recommend them for their ease in preparation and good flavor. I deducted one star because they are not quite as good as fresh and they are made with partially hydrogenated oil. Not something I'd want to eat everyday but I'd definitely want some in the pantry at all times for a quick dinner side dish after work. I plan to buy them again.

Ok, folks. This is the absolutely best instant potatos you can buy! I am not sure if they are 9 or 10 years old, but I only use them when I have to. The "BEST BEFORE DEC 2003" on the box might give you a clue. It is now July 2011 and I have just finished the box. They are still be best we have ever tasted, even after all these years! You can't go wrong with these, even if you are a survivalist stocking up for Armageddon.