The Power of Potatoes

Potatoes have long been a mainstay in the diet of Americans for many reasons- it is a versatile vegetable, easy to cultivate, and cheap, let alone very tasty! Very few people realize that it is not native to American soil, it was actually originated deep in the Andes mountains in South America. It was discovered by farmers over 7,000 years ago, but it was not found by Western man until 1537 by the Conquistadors. It didn't make its debut in Europe until even later, around 1570.

The potato was initially an unpopular choice in fare, used by the Spanish to feed prisoners and hospital inmates, as well as those who were members of the underclass of society. It's use did not spread to the rest of Europe for over 30 years due to this perception, as well as the relationship to poisonous plants. It is a member of the nightshade family, and left on the vine too long can turn green. The substance which causes this effect can cause illness in humans, and is known as solanine. Many times the only effect it has though is to cause a bitter taste to the vegetable flesh. The leaves are poisonous though, which is why they are not used in dishes.

It wasn't until around 1780 that anyone recognized the nutritious attributes of the potato. The Irish adopted it as their primary crop due to the high vitamin content. They relied on the potato for their livelihood, which would eventually be to their detriment when in the mid-1800's the crops failed and they suffered a famine.

Antoine Augustine Parmentier, a pharmacist and employee of Louis XV, who was a prisoner of the Prussians during the Seven Years War, was the man who brought the benefits of the potato to France. His love for the potato was unappreciated by the rest of the country so he relied on the old "if he thinks it's so valuable it must be amazing" adage. He guarded his plot ferociously during the day, but left it sit at night. Well, of course, the locals then snuck in and gathered a few to try for themselves. Soon everyone realized how great the potato was.