Potatoes

History and Information

Potatoes are one of the main staple foods in the world, and are the fifth most important crop after wheat, corn, rice and sugar. In fact the average person worldwide eats 73 pounds of potatoes each year. They can be grown in many different climates, are able to be stored for long periods of time, and are extremely nutritious.

Potatoes are a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family which also includes tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers, and have the scientific name of Solanum tuberosum. They were originally cultivated in South America somewhere between 5000 and 8000 BC. They became the main source of food for many of the cultures originating in South and Central America, most notably the Incas. Potatoes are a member

When the Europeans came to the new world the brought the potato back Europe with them and it quickly became one of the most important food crops. Researches believe that the arrival the potato helped bring an end to major food shortages in Europe, and even give it some credit toward the expansion of these nations in the major empires that emerged.

In fact potatoes became such a staple food that they were the only solid food in the diet of an estimated 40% of the population in Ireland near the end of the 18th century. This is why in 1845 when the potato crops were devastated by late blight, it is estimated that over 1 million people died in the great Irish famine, and that more than another million migrated from Ireland.

Potato Health Facts

Potatoes are one of the worlds primary food staples for a reason, they are an excellent source of energy, and have a good amount of many different vitamins and minerals. They are high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium. If eaten in large amounts they provide a complete protean, and humans can survive on a diet consisting of not much more than potatoes for an extended period of time.

The potato is considered to be high on the glycemic index, this is a measure of how quickly the carbohydrates in a food are absorbed into the blood stream.  Because the starches in the tuber are easily digested and converted to glucose it is more beneficial if eaten with other food, or the energy gained from eating will be quickly used and you will become hungry again.

Because potatoes are part of the nightshade family their leaves and stems contain solanines, a poisonous compound that can cause headaches, diarrhea, cramps and even death. During early cultivation this compound was also found in the tubers and they were eaten with clay dust which bound to the poison so that it passed through the system. This was bred out of the plant so that now potatoes are safe to eat as they are. Although a green potato indicates that it has seen to much sun causing a build up of solanines.