The Humble Potato and How it Changed the World
Are your potatoes boring?
Once you've learned how potatoes have changed the world, you may have to make yourself some tater tots...or aligot...or papas rellenas, or perhaps just some old-fashioned fondant potatoes.
The potato's origin has been traced back to the hostile lands of Peru and Bolivia. There, inedible potato species grew profusely in a vast array of climates and soils, thriving from the desert to the coast; deep in the valleys to high Andean elevations. These Andean tubers were domesticated between 8000 and 5000 B.C.
By 1500 B.C., these domesticated potatoes were being farmed on terraces by resilient people impressed by hardy vegetables. The potato was nutritious and plentiful enough to fuel their rigorous lifestyles.
By 1500 B.C., these domesticated potatoes were being farmed on terraces by resilient people impressed by hardy vegetables. The potato was nutritious and plentiful enough to fuel their rigorous lifestyles.
Still, the potato had not undergone sufficient breeding to eliminate all chance of toxicity. The Andean farmers who had been consuming potatoes for hundreds of years had resistance to these toxins. Additionally, they would often consume clay and water along with their potatoes. This mixture acted as a toxin sponge in the digestive system, sucking up the poisons and ushering them along out of the body.
It was not until the second half of the 16th century that the potato made its way across the Atlantic to Europe. The Europeans were slow to catch on to the potato, initially distrustful of those who introduced the plant to them. Later it was only used as an anti-famine food in dire situations, or as meager sustenance for prisoners.
From the European standpoint, the potato was a toxic tuber. They had not developed resistance to the toxins in the potatoes, as had the Andean's, nor were they aware of the practice of eating clay alongside the potatoes to rid the stomach of toxins.
Nonetheless, scientists and farmers were fascinated, and the 18th and 19th centuries saw big changes for the European relationship with potatoes. Eventually, potatoes evolved into a safe root vegetable that swiftly made its way as a staple into the European diet.
The potato also made its way into politics at that time. The French population was unhappy with recent cuts in the wheat supply and it was thought that perhaps potatoes would be a satisfactory replacement. The royals began a campaign to popularize potatoes. Marie Antoinette wore potato flowers in her hair and her husband tucked the blooms into his button holes. This potato fashion statement (or plot) worked. Potatoes fell into favor across the continent in a huge way.
It was not until the second half of the 16th century that the potato made its way across the Atlantic to Europe. The Europeans were slow to catch on to the potato, initially distrustful of those who introduced the plant to them. Later it was only used as an anti-famine food in dire situations, or as meager sustenance for prisoners.
From the European standpoint, the potato was a toxic tuber. They had not developed resistance to the toxins in the potatoes, as had the Andean's, nor were they aware of the practice of eating clay alongside the potatoes to rid the stomach of toxins.
Nonetheless, scientists and farmers were fascinated, and the 18th and 19th centuries saw big changes for the European relationship with potatoes. Eventually, potatoes evolved into a safe root vegetable that swiftly made its way as a staple into the European diet.
The potato also made its way into politics at that time. The French population was unhappy with recent cuts in the wheat supply and it was thought that perhaps potatoes would be a satisfactory replacement. The royals began a campaign to popularize potatoes. Marie Antoinette wore potato flowers in her hair and her husband tucked the blooms into his button holes. This potato fashion statement (or plot) worked. Potatoes fell into favor across the continent in a huge way.
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By 1845, 1/3 of the Irish population was entirely dependent upon the potato for food. Male laborers might eat sixty potatoes a day. Despite their popularity, these potatoes were flawed in their low genetic diversity. They were highly susceptible to then-incurable diseases.
When their potato crops were struck by blight, 1 million Irish people died, and another two million emigrated from the island. Most immigrated across the Atlantic to the United States.
As a result:
- By the time the famine had come to a close, 25% of the population of New York was Irish.
- Irish immigrants were hardworking and were willing to labor for low wages and toiled on important infrastructural projects.
- Irish immigrants largely contributed to the spread of Catholicism throughout the nation.
The Humble Potato had Changed the World
- For the first time, there was a lucrative and highly productive crop that would grow in essentially any climate.
- Small farms could grow potatoes and feed their families.
- As long as potatoes were available, everyone could eat during times good and bad. This is evidenced by the total reliance upon the potato of poor Irish prior to the famine.
- This highly successful crop lead to a boom in industrial agriculture. Estimates state that 25% of the Old World population and industrial growth between 1700 and 1900 was caused by the rise in potato popularity.
- Today, the potato is the 4th largest crop in the world, behind rice, wheat, and corn.
- Across the globe, the average citizen consumes 73 lbs of potatoes every single year.
Call them what you may - bland, bumpy, grotesque, starchy, but the humble potato certainly is not boring.
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