Are mashed potatoes a type of potato before mashed?

Here's why:

* Potatoes are the base ingredient: Mashed potatoes start with potatoes. The type of potato used can affect the texture and flavor, but ultimately, it's still a potato.

* The process changes the potato: The act of boiling, mashing, and adding other ingredients (butter, milk, etc.) transforms the potatoes into a new dish with its own unique characteristics.

So, to answer your question directly, no, mashed potatoes are not a type of potato before they are mashed. They are a dish created by preparing and altering potatoes.