Potatoes are a common food in our daily diet, and it can be made into a variety of delicious dishes such as mashed potatoes, french fries, roast beef with potatoes, etc. Potatoes are not only delicious, but they are also rich in vitamins and minerals, which are beneficial for human health. But, did you know that potatoes still have a lot of interesting trivia? Today, we are going to reveal 10 amazing secrets of potatoes for you, so that you can have a whole new understanding of this common ingredient.
Although potatoes are widely cultivated and eaten all over the world, their origins are actually in the Andes Mountains of South America. According to archaeologists, the earliest artificial cultivation of potatoes dates back to 8,000 to 5,000 BC, when the indigenous peoples of Peru and Bolivia were the first to grow potatoes. The spread of potatoes in Europe was brought back from South America by Spanish colonists in the 16th century.
Although potatoes are a useful food, they also have their weaknesses. Potatoes are susceptible to a fungal infection called Phytophthora infestans, which causes the stems, leaves, and tubers of potatoes to rot. The fungus first arrived in Europe from the Americas in 1845, triggering an unprecedented famine, especially in Ireland. At the time, more than half of Ireland's population relied on potatoes as a staple food, and the fungus destroyed their potato harvest in just a few months. The famine lasted four years and resulted in at least 1 million deaths and 2 million migrations. The famine also changed Ireland's politics, society, and culture, triggering a nationalist movement and anti-British sentiment in Ireland.
There are many varieties of potatoes, with some sources showing that there are more than 4,000 edible varieties of potatoes in more than 100 countries. Different varieties of potatoes have different shapes and colors, including round, long, flat, red, yellow, purple, and so on. Among them, some of the more famous varieties are McCann One, Charpotti, Atlantic, Dutch XV, 226 and so on.
McCann I: In 18th-century Prussia, there was a king named Frederick II who was very fond of potatoes and considered them a valuable crop. He wanted his people to grow and eat potatoes as well, but his people didn't like potatoes very much, believing them to be an inferior food. So, he came up with a clever idea, he ordered potatoes to be planted near his royal palace and sent troops to guard them, so that people would think that potatoes were a precious thing. He also deliberately let the army let down its guard and let some of the potato thieves escape, thus stimulating people's curiosity and desire for potatoes. His plan worked, and potatoes soon became popular in Prussia, and were even used as currency that could be exchanged for other items.
Potatoes are the world's most important non-cereal crop and the fourth most important food crop, after rice, wheat and corn. Every year, the world's potato production is about 37.7 billion tons, of which China is the largest producer and exporter of potatoes, accounting for nearly a quarter of the world's. Other major potato producing countries are India, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Poland and the United States.
Potatoes look very solid, but in fact, their composition is very simple, which is 80% water and 20% solids. These solids are mainly starches, also known as carbohydrates, which are important energy for the human body**. Potatoes also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
Potatoes can be made not only into food, but also into batteries. This is because potatoes contain acidic substances that can act as electrolytes that chemically react with metal electrodes to produce an electric current. If you have a few potatoes, a few copper wires, and iron nails, you can make a potato battery yourself to power some small electronic devices such as alarm clocks, LED lights, etc.
Potatoes can not only provide energy, but also **burn. This is because potatoes are rich in water and starch, which can provide moisture and protection for burns, reducing pain and inflammation. If you accidentally burn your finger, you can cut a slice of raw potato, stick it to the wound, and fix it with a bandage, changing it every few hours until the wound heals. However, there is no authoritative conclusion on whether the scientific basis for this statement is valid, so it is recommended that more serious burns should be received at a clinic or hospital as soon as possible**.
Potatoes are not only delicious, but also beautiful. This is because potatoes contain enzymes that lighten melanin, which can improve blood circulation in the eye area and eliminate puffiness and dark circles around the eyes. If you have tired eyes or bags under your eyes, you can cut two slices of raw potatoes, apply them to your eyes, close your eyes, and remove them after 15 minutes, and you will notice that your eyes are much brighter. As with the previous article, there is no authoritative conclusion on whether the scientific basis for this statement is valid, so please do not try it for the time being.
Potatoes are not only filling, but also intoxicating. This is because potatoes contain starch that can be converted into alcohol through the process of fermentation and distillation. Potato wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage that is mainly popular in some countries of Eastern and Northern Europe, such as Poland, Russia, Finland, etc. Potato liquor is generally around 40% alcohol, has a spicy taste, can warm up from the cold, and can also be used to make a variety of cocktails.
That's it for 10 interesting trivia facts about potatoes, have you learned? Potatoes are truly an amazing plant, which not only satisfies our basic needs, but also brings us more surprises and fun. The next time you eat potatoes, think about it. Thanks for reading and we'll see you next time!
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