Potato Food

The Potato, The World’s Most Versatile Food

There is no doubt about it; the potato has to be the most versatile food. How many other foods are eaten regularly for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Let’s learn about his cousin of the tomato, eggplant, and pepper.

I can’t think of a food product used in so many different ways, mashed, fried, boiled, au gratin, potato chips, and how about even Vodka. They have proven invaluable in feeding the hungry of the world.

The potato originated in the Andes Mountains of South America in what is now Peru and Bolivar. They were introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. It took more than 200 years until they became a staple of European diets,

According to Agriculture Canada, the top 5 potato producing countries are China, India, Russian Federation, Ukraine, and the U.S.

The U.S. Potato Board reports that world land devoted to growing potatoes measures approximately 74K SQ. miles an area larger than all of the New England states combined.

Depending on the variety growers can except a yield 30-40 thousand pounds per acre.

90% of all potatoes grown fall into 3 varieties. Russet, Round White, and Round Red. Luther Burbank found a single mutation of a potato in his garden in 1872. He saved it and planted it the following year after which he derived 23 new plants, Out of these 23 plants the Russet potato emerged the worlds most planted potato.

Carrying its weight, did you know that 85% of the potato plant is edible compared to only 50% of cereal grains such as wheat, and oats even though the potato leaves are poisonous.

The potato is actually an underground stem, emerging from each eye is a stem in search of sunlight. Once these initial stems reach the surface and begin to photosynth...

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...tarch is combined with other materials such as wheat and rice, water is added to create a paste, this paste is pressed through a mold, and then dried, the result is a perfectly shaped Pringle.

Dehydrated potatoes are also what most of us know as instant potatoes. Just add a little water and we have instant mashed potatoes.

Dehydrated potatoes play an important role in feeding the hungry throughout the world. Potato starch is combined with other nutrients ingredients such as rice and vitamins to form a very nutritious food supplement to feed the hungry.

Because of its light weight 1 million servings of food can be shipped in a 40 foot cargo container. After it reaches its destination water is added to form a healthy food supplement.

The next time you are preparing potatoes think about how diverse this wonderful vegetable is. Could I have an extras sour cream please?