POTATOES
The potato is a relative of tobacco and the tomato.
The potato, which originated in Peru, took a long journey to reach North America. The Spaniards took it back to Spain in the 16th century; from there it made its way to Italy and northern Europe, then to Bermuda and the Virginia colonies of North America.
(See Article: Origin of the Modern Potato)
Up until the late 18th century, the French believed that potatoes caused leprosy.
Antoine-Auguste Parmentier was a 18th century agronomist who convinced the common French people to accept the potato as a safe food. He used reverse psychology by posting guards around potato fields during the day to prevent people from stealing them. He left them unguarded at night. So, every night, the thieves would sneak into the fields and leave with sacks of these precious potatoes!
Marie Antoinette wife of Louis XV was known to wear potato blossoms as a hair decoration.
It is most likely that all of Europe's potato crop in the 1800s originated from only 2 plants brought back to Europe by the Spaniards. This lack of genetic diversity is one of the probable causes of the devastating potato blight of the late 19th century.
The first permanent potato patches in North America were established in 1719, most likely near Londonderry (Derry), New Hampshire.
The 'Idaho' potato or 'Russet Burbank' potato was developed by Luther Burbank (1849-1926) in 1871.
During the Alaskan Klondike gold rush, (1897-1898) potatoes were practically worth their weight in gold. Potatoes were so valued for their vitamin C content that miners traded gold for potatoes.
www.potatohelp.com
In 1952, Mr. Potato Head was born, and was also the first toy to be advertised on television.
Instant mashed potatoes (dehydrated potatoes) were introduced commercially in 1955. Just add milk.
The potato is the fourth most important crop in the world after wheat, rice and corn.
Potatoes and lettuce are the two most popular fresh vegetables in the U.S
Idaho is the 'Land of Famous Potatoes'
Clark is the Potato Capital of South Dakota. Clark is home to the world famous Mashed Potato Wrestling contest.
U.S. potato production in 1998 was 47.5 billion pounds
Per Capita Consumption
144.7 pounds, 1999
137.9 pounds, 1995
114.7 pounds, 1980
Usage Facts, all varieties, 2000:
Fresh market 26%
Frozen products 35%
Potato chips 10%
Dehydrated products 11%
Canned products 1%
Top 10 per capita consumption of potatoes:
Belarus - 411 pounds
Ukraine - 303 pounds
Latvia - 301 pounds
Poland - 296 pounds
Lithuania - 290 pounds
Ireland - 286 pounds
Portugal - 280 pounds
Russia - 272 pounds
Croatia - 251 pounds
Malawi - 250 pounds (2000)
NEW POTATOES: Most frequently used to describe those freshly harvested and marketed during the late winter or early spring. The name is also widely used in later crop producing areas to designate freshly dug potatoes which are not quite fully matured. Best used for boiling or creaming. They vary widely in size and shape, depending upon variety, but are likely to be affected by 'skinning' or 'feathering' of the outer layer of skin. This skinning usually affects only their appearance.
GENERAL PURPOSE POTATOES: Includes the great majority of supplies offered for sale in the markets, both round and long types. With the aid of air-cooled storage, they are available year-round. They are used for boiling, frying and baking, although many are not the best for baking.
BAKING POTATOES: Both variety and area where grown are important factors affecting baking quality. The Russet Burbank, a long variety with fine, scaly netting on the skin is the most widely grown and is the best known.
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