Potato Patch Recipes
Potatoes|History and Information|Trivia

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Potatoes

The potato, a name derived from the native American Indian word “batata”, was first cultivated by the Inca Indians in Peru over 4,000 years ago. The mountainous terrain of the Andes, fluctuating temperatures, poor soil conditions and elevations over 10,000 feet proved to be the ideal settings for the Symara Indians to develop over two hundred varieties of potatoes. The potato is a member of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) along with peppers, eggplant and tomatoes. The growth and quality of potatoes is greatly influenced by cool temperatures, moisture, light, soil content and nutrients. Ideal conditions for best yields are daytime average temperatures around 70 degrees F and cool night temperatures as these affect the accumulation of carbohydrates and dry matters in the tubers.

In 1536, Spanish Conquistadors conquered Peru, became aware of the potato and carried them back to Spain. In 1586, the potato was introduced in Britain by Sir Francis Drake. In 1770, a French pharmacist named Antoine Parmentier, saw the potato as a solution to the recurring famine problem in France and helped King Louis XIV popularize it by creating a feast with only potato dishes. In 1774, Frederick the Great sent free potatoes to the starving peasants after the famine of 1774, but they refused to touch them until soldiers were sent in to persuade them. During his presidency (1801-1809), Thomas Jefferson served “French Fries” in the White House as an introduction in the US. In the mid-19th century, the British introduced potatoes to Nepal and they soon became a staple crop. The potato is now a very common food item worldwide, grown in about 125 countries and all 50 states in the US.

 

 

Potato Trivia

• Every American consumes about 126 pounds of potatoes yearly = 1 potato per day.
• In October 1995, the potato was the first vegetable to be grown in space.
• Believe it or not:
• Potatoes are more nutritious when eaten with the skin on.
• Potatoes were the first vegetable grown in space in 1995
• Europeans consume twice as many potatoes as Americans per year.
• Potatoes are second only to milk as the most consumed food in America.
• Treat facial blemishes by washing your face daily with cool potato juice.
• Treat frostbite or sunburn by applying raw grated potato to the affected area.
• Treat a toothache by carrying a potato in your pocket.
• Treat a sore throat by placing a slice of baked potato in a stocking and applying to the throat.
• Treat aches and pains by rubbing boiled potato water (cooled) to the affected area.

 

 

 

 

Ingredient tags: farming, history, Inca Indians, information, trivia