<P> Instant mashed potatoes are potatoes that have been through an industrial process of cooking, mashing and dehydrating to yield a packaged convenience food that can be reconstituted by adding hot water or milk, producing a close approximation of mashed potatoes . They are available in different flavors . </P> <P> Mashed potatoes can be reconstituted from potato flour, but the process is made more difficult by lumping; a key characteristic of instant mashed potatoes is that it is in the form of flakes or granules, eliminating the chunkiness . Analogous to instant mashed potatoes are instant poi made from taro and instant fufu made from yams or yam substitutes including cereals . Poha, an instant rice mush, is also much in the same spirit, as more broadly are other instant porridges, formed from flakes, granules, or pearls to avoid lumping . Brands include Smash and Idahoan Foods . </P>

Where are mashed potatoes produced in the us