…It was an endearing comment, really. I mean, how amazing are spuds? They are versatile, can handle fiery flavors, are filling and nutritious, and seriously a comfort. They have lately gotten a bad rap but I am here to say that spuds can be incorporated into your diet with balance and pleasure! Hear, hear!
Allowing Pleasure = Happiness = Increased Serotonin = Increased Metabolism + Concentration + Drive = Happy World = Love + Beauty
With that, let’s learn a few things, shall we?
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Potatoes are vegetables but they contain a lot of starch (carbohydrates) that make them more like rice, pasta and bread in terms of nutrition.
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Much like rice, wheat and maize (corn), potato crops are an important part the world’s diet.
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The word potato comes from the Spanish word patata.
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Potato plants are usually pollinated by insects such as bumblebees.
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Potatoes contain a variety of vitamins and minerals.
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There are thousands of different potato varieties but not all are commercially available, popular ones include Russet, Yukon Gold, Kennebec, Desiree and Fingerling.
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While the role of genetic modification is up for debate, research has led to genetically modified potato varieties that have potential benefits such as increased protein and resistance to viruses.
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Based on 2010 statistics, China is the leading producer of potatoes.
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Potatoes don’t store very well after purchase but they are relatively easy to grow.
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Potato storage facilities are kept at temperatures above 4 °C (39 °F) as potato starch turns into sugar and alters the taste below this temperature.
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Potatoes are prepared and served in many different ways, including boiled potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, French fries and hash browns.
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French fries contain a lot of fat so don’t eat too many!
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Potatoes are usually served hot, but sometimes cold in the form of potato chips or potato salad.
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Despite health concerns, potato chips are one of the most common snack foods in the world with billions of packets being consumed every year.
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One of the main causes of the Great Famine in Ireland between 1845 and 1852 was a potato disease known as potato blight. The shortage of potatoes led to the death of around 1 million people who were dependent on them as a food source.
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Although it shares the same name, the sweet potato is a root vegetable and only loosely related to the potato.
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Potatoes are sometimes called spuds.
(Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/food/potatoes.html)
A skin have I, more eyes than one. I can be very nice when I am done. What am I? A potato