The word is believed to be derived from the Spanish discoverers’ understanding of the South American Indians’ name for the plant, papa or patata. Over most of the United States, “potato” refers to Solanum tuberosum, the “white” or “Irish” potato, although in many parts of our South the term means “sweet potato”.
How did the potato get its name?
The English word potato comes from Spanish patata (the name used in Spain). The Royal Spanish Academy says the Spanish word is a hybrid of the Taíno batata (‘sweet potato’) and the Quechua papa (‘potato’). The name originally referred to the sweet potato although the two plants are not closely related.
What were potatoes originally called?
The Portuguese introduced potatoes, which they called ‘Batata‘, to India in the early seventeenth century when they cultivated it along the western coast. British traders introduced potatoes to Bengal as a root crop, ‘Alu’.
Is it called potato or potato?
potato, (Solanum tuberosum), annual plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), grown for its starchy edible tubers. The potato is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes and is one of the world’s main food crops.
What makes a potato a potato?
So what is a potato exactly? Known as Solanum tuberosum, potatoes are a tuber (not the same as a root vegetable like, say, a radish) that fall into the “starchy vegetable” category. (So yes, potatoes absolutely count as a vegetable according to the USDA.)
Can dog eat potatoes?
White potatoes belong to the nightshade family of vegetables, which includes tomatoes; like tomatoes, raw potatoes contain solanine, a compound that is toxic to some dogs. However, cooking a potato reduces the levels of solanine. If you do feed your dog a potato, it should be baked or boiled, with nothing added to it.
Who ate the first potato?
“Only two things in this world are too serious to be jested on, potatoes and matrimony.” In the ancient ruins of Peru and Chile, archaeologists have found potato remains that date back to 500 B.C. The Incas grew and ate them and also worshipped them.
Why is spud short for potato?
Among other definitions, a “spud” is a “sharp, narrow spade” used to dig up large rooted plants. Around the mid-19th century (first documented reference in 1845 in New Zealand), this implement of destruction began lending its name to one of the things it was often used to dig up, namely potatoes.
Are potatoes actually Irish?
Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500’s and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.
What did the Irish eat before potatoes?
Grains. Until the arrival of the potato in the 16th century, grains such as oats, wheat and barley, cooked either as porridge or bread, formed the staple of the Irish diet.
What is the British word for potato?
Definition of ‘tattie‘
Was potato ever spelled with an E?
The spelling of potatoe, while not terribly common, existed for almost the entire 20th century. For example, the New York Times was still occasionally spelling potato with an –e in 1988.
How do Brits spell potato?
The correct spelling in all varieties of English is “potato”; and the plural is spelt “potatoes” in all varieties. Would it be strange for me (an American) to spell things the way they are spelled in British English because I think it is better than American English?
Is a fries a potato?
French fries (North American English), chips (British English), finger chips (Indian English), french-fried potatoes, or simply fries, are batonnet or allumette-cut deep-fried potatoes of disputed origin from Belgium and France.
Can a potato be a fruit?
Potatoes are not fruit, however. Potato plants do produce fruit, which look almost exactly like cherry tomatoes. However, the fruits of the potato plant are toxic. Potatoes grow from the roots, not the flowers.
Are potatoes actually vegetables?
In a nutshell, there is no doubt that a potato is botanically a vegetable. Although not your usual leafy green, it’s still packed with vital nutrients that are necessities for a balanced diet. Check out some of our potato based recipes for some meal inspiration or our potato waffles range for an extra treat!
Can dogs eat popcorn?
So, can dogs eat popcorn? In and of itself, fully popped, unseasoned popcorn is safe for dogs in small quantities, as long as it’s popped using methods that don’t require oil, such as air popping.
What meat is toxic to dogs?
4. Bacon, Ham and Fat Trimmings. Bacon, bacon grease, ham, and fat trimmed off meat or bones contains a lot of salt and/or fat and at the least can cause indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea in both dogs and cats. These foods can also cause pancreatitis, a serious, potentially deadly inflammation of the pancreas.
Can dogs eat bacon?
Bacon is an incredibly rich and fatty food with a high salt content, which can prove to be too much for a dog’s stomach to handle. Eating a large amount can cause pancreatitis, which can be fatal.
Why were potatoes illegal in France?
However, French people did not trust the new food, which was used mainly for feeding pigs, and in 1748 growing potatoes was banned by parliament as they were thought to spread disease, especially leprosy.
Which country eats most potatoes?
China leads the world in potato consumption. However, this is due to its huge population. China isn’t even in the top 10 regarding consumption per capita. Belarus is the most potato loving country with about 181 kg consumed per capita.