Worldwide Potatoes

I know that much has already been written about the cultivation and economic advantages of potatoes; but this subject is among those that cannot be discussed too much, since it concerns the nourishment of the people, and I do not believe that there is an object more important, more worthy of the meditations of the Philosopher and the protection of the Government.

- Antoine Augustin Parmentier, Examen chymique des pommes de terre, 1773

"Although daily experience speaks in favor of potatoes, and although their use, adopted for a century and praised by writers who are friends of humanity, has produced nothing but very happy effects so far, people have nevertheless begun to denigrate the healthfulness of these roots, accusing them of causing illnesses that they would rather be capable of preventing if one were threatened.

It is indeed astonishing that a food that replaces all other species among wise nations, our closest neighbors, still finds adversaries and even critics among us. Would it then be probable that this multitude of men who continually nourish themselves with this vegetable would agree to assert that there is no healthier and more agreeable food than potatoes, if they were as harmful as some people have claimed?"

- Antoine Augustin Parmentier, Examen chymique des pommes de terre, 1773

Prepare to peel back the layers of potatoes! Metaphorically speaking. Yes, the mighty potato, Solanum tuberosum, the unsung hero of your French fries and vodka. Did you know the Quechua, those potato connoisseurs of the Andes, boast over 1000 names for this wandering tuber? Imagine ordering a side of 'papa runtu' with your alpaca steak.

Six thousand years ago, this Peruvian powerhouse, embarked on a global conquest, from humble Andean fields to the carb-loaded plates of every corner of the Earth. Today, it stands as a testament to the sheer, starchy brilliance that keeps us all delightfully... potato-ed. Dive in, and let's see just how much you really know about the world's most versatile vegetable (yes, vegetable!). Learn more about potato production trends in the Top 20 and Worldwide pages.

The Potato's Journey (Basic Syllabus)

8000-5000 BCE: The Andean highlands: where it all began. Potatoes were first domesticated in the region that is now southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. Imagine a world without mashed potatoes... shudder.

1530s: Spanish conquistadors 'discover' the potato. Or, more accurately, they stumbled upon it while looking for gold. They took it back to Europe, probably thinking, 'This weird lump? Eh, why not?'

17th-18th Centuries: Europeans remain deeply suspicious of the potato as we saw earlier in the quote from Parmentier. Was it food? Was it a devil's root? Was it the reason for their existential dread? Debates raged. Meanwhile, the potato quietly plotted world domination.

1840s: The Irish Potato Famine. A stark reminder that even the most reliable of starches can betray you. Also, a historical event that dramatically changed global migration patterns.

Modern Era: Potatoes go global, becoming the ultimate comfort food, the base of countless culinary masterpieces, and the fuel for the world's French fry addiction.

Read more about potato history on the History page.