Potato

The potato (/pəˈteɪtoʊ/) is a starchy tuberous vegetable from the Americas. People eat potatoes all over the world as a main food. Potatoes grow underground and are parts of the plant Solanum tuberosum. This plant belongs to the nightshade family Solanaceae.

Wild potato species grow from the southern United States to southern Chile. People first grew potatoes about 7,000 to 10,000 years ago in what is now southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia. Many kinds of potatoes are grown in the Andes mountains of South America.

The Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe in the late 1500s. Today, potatoes are a key food around the world. After many years of careful planting, there are now over 5,000 different varieties of potatoes. Europe, especially Northern and Eastern Europe, grows the most potatoes per person. But countries like China and India are growing more potatoes now.

Like the tomato, potatoes are in the genus Solanum. Parts of the potato plant above ground have a toxin called solanine. When potatoes are grown and stored properly, the tubers have very little of this. But if the sprouts and skins are exposed to light, they can become toxic.

Etymology

The word "potato" comes from the Spanish word patata. That word came from the Taíno word batata, which means "sweet potato".

The nickname "spud" for a potato started from an old word spudde. This word described a small, thick knife. Later, the word changed to mean the potato itself. In some languages like Afrikaans, Dutch, and French, potatoes are called "earth apple" or "ground apple" because they look like a round fruit.

Description

Potato plants grow up to one metre (three feet) high. Their stems are hairy, and their leaves have four pairs of leaflets. The flowers can be white, pink, blue, or purple, with a yellow centre. Insects help pollinate these flowers.

These plants grow tubers to store nutrients. Tubers are not roots but stems. They have “eyes,” which grow into new stems, and small holes called lenticels that let the tuber breathe. After flowering, they make small green fruits like cherry tomatoes, each with many tiny seeds.

Phylogeny

Like the tomato, potatoes belong to the group Solanum, which is part of the nightshade family, the Solanaceae. This family has many plants, some of which can be poisonous, such as mandrake (Mandragora), deadly nightshade (Atropa), and tobacco (Nicotiana). The most common potato is S. tuberosum.

There are other potato kinds too, each with different numbers of tiny parts inside their cells called chromosomes. The main kind grown around the world is S. tuberosum, which has 48 chromosomes. There are also diploid kinds with 24 chromosomes, triploid kinds with 36 chromosomes, and a pentaploid kind with 60 chromosomes.

History

Main article: History of the potato

The potato was first grown in southern Peru and northwestern Bolivia by pre-Columbian farmers near Lake Titicaca a very long time ago. After the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire, potatoes were taken to Europe in the 16th century. It took time, but potatoes became an important food that helped many people.

Today, the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, keeps many kinds of potatoes safe. Most potatoes we grow today come from a type found in Chile. Wild potato species in Mexico and North America help scientists grow potatoes that stay healthy. The United Nations celebrates the International Day of Potato each year on May 30, starting in 2024.

Breeding

Potatoes do not make useful fruit when they pollinate themselves, which makes it hard for farmers to grow new potato plants. Scientists have found ways to help potatoes grow better for farming.

There are thousands of different potato types around the world. Some potatoes are better for baking, while others are best for boiling or making chips. Potatoes can also have different colored skins and flesh, which makes them interesting and fun. Scientists work on making potatoes that stay healthy from pests and diseases.

Cultivation

Potatoes are grown from special parts called "seed potatoes." These seed potatoes are grown in cold places with lots of sunshine. This helps keep pests away and lets the plants grow well.

Potato plants grow in steps. First, tiny parts called sprouts and roots appear. Then, leaves and branches grow above the ground. Special parts called stolons form below the ground. New potatoes grow at the tips of these stolons. After this, the plant grows bigger potatoes. They need the right soil, water, and nutrients to grow well. Finally, the potatoes are ready, and the plant's leaves and stems die back. Growers often cover the new potatoes with soil to stop them from turning green when they see sunlight. Potatoes grow best in soil that drains well and is not too sour or too bitter. They can be hurt by frost.

Production

In 2023, the world grew about 383 million tonnes of potatoes. China grew the most potatoes. Potatoes are grown on big pieces of land called hectares all around the world. Some places grow more potatoes on each hectare than others. For example, farmers in New Zealand grow a lot of potatoes on their farms. How many potatoes a farm can grow depends on things like the type of potato plant and how it is taken care of. Potatoes give us more food energy per hectare than crops like maize, rice, wheat, or soybeans.

Effects of climate change on production

Further information: Effects of climate change on agriculture

Climate change will change how we grow potatoes. Warmer temperatures, different rain, and more carbon dioxide in the air will affect potato plants. In hot places like Sub-Saharan Africa, growing potatoes may become harder because of the heat. But in cooler places like Canada and Russia, potatoes might grow better with less frost.

Scientists are creating new potato plants that can survive heat, droughts, and diseases. This helps us keep enjoying potatoes as a tasty and important food, even as the climate changes.

Nutrition

Further information: Staple food § Comparison of 10 staple foods

A boiled potato with skin has about 87 calories in every 100 grams. It is mostly water (77%) and has carbohydrates, a little protein, and almost no fat. Potatoes are a good source of vitamin C and some B vitamins, like vitamin B6. They also have a moderate amount of potassium.

Raw potatoes are not usually eaten because their starch is hard to digest. Depending on how they are prepared, potatoes can raise blood sugar quickly, so some people watching their diet avoid them. In the UK, potatoes do not count toward the daily goal of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables.

Toxicity

Raw potatoes have natural toxins called glycoalkaloids, and solanine is one of the most common. These toxins help protect the potato plant from animals that might eat it. They are usually more in the leaves and flowers than in the parts we eat.

If potatoes are left in the light, they can turn green and the toxins can increase, making them unsafe to eat. This is why it’s important to store potatoes in a dark place and to remove any green parts before cooking. Different potato types have different levels of these toxins, and plant breeders work to keep the levels safe for eating.

Uses

See also: List of potato dishes and Potato cooking

Potatoes are enjoyed in many dishes around the world. In Peru, there are many kinds of potatoes used in cooking. In the UK, potatoes are a key part of fish and chips, and they are also used in roast dinners, mashed potatoes, shepherd's pie, and other traditional meals. In Germany, Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Poland, new potatoes are a special treat, often served with dill and Baltic herring. In Lithuania, cepelinai — dumplings made from potatoes — are a popular dish. In Italy, especially in the Friuli region, potatoes are used to make a type of pasta called gnocchi. In northern China, potatoes are used in dishes like qīng jiāo tǔ dòu sī, made with green pepper and vinegar.

Potatoes also have other uses beyond eating. They can be used to make alcoholic drinks such as vodka. They are also used as food for animals and can be turned into silage for storage. Potato starch is used in many industries, including food, textiles, and paper making. Potatoes are also helpful for scientific research.

• Pommes frites, also called chips and French fries
• Papa rellena
• Baked potato with sour cream and chives
• German Bauernfrühstück ("farmer's breakfast")
• Cepelinai

Cultural significance

In old stories, potatoes have special meanings. In Inca mythology, Axomamma, a goddess of the earth, was the goddess of potatoes. She helped the soil stay rich so potatoes could grow.

Potatoes appear in art and popular culture too. Famous artists like Van Gogh and Jean-François Millet painted people eating or harvesting potatoes. In modern times, the toy Mr. Potato Head, made in 1949, became very popular. In movies like The Martian, potatoes are shown being grown in strange places, such as on Mars.