Lost Crops of the Incas Little-Known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation (1989) / Chapter Skim
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Part I: Roots and Tubers
Part I: Roots and Tubers
Pages 22-25
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From page 22... ...
For instance, the annual world production of potatoes has reached nearly 300 million tons, sweet potatoes and yams over 130 million tons each, and cassava at least 100 million tons. Although pre-Columbian Indians of the Andes domesticated more starchy root crops than any other peoples, only one has become a world cro~the potato, which is now grown in some 130 nations and is the fourth largest food crop of the planet.
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From page 23... ...
HOW THE POTATO REACHED EUROPE To provide perspective on the possible future adoption of the root crops described in the following section, it is instructive to consider the irrational reception the Europeans first accorded the potato. When Columbus set foot in the New World, Europeans had no inkling of the existence of the potato.
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From page 24... ...
smuggled two tubers and a seedling plant out of Spain. Later, this famous Austrian plant collector gave the potato special mention in his health food manual, Rariorum Plantarum Historia.
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From page 25... ...
From this former Inca crop, Scandinavia, France, Germany, and Russia eventually developed "national" dishes such as potato dumplings and potato pancakes, not to mention their renowned liquors aquavit and vodka. The turnaround in popularity of the potato was due mainly to certain "crop champions" individuals of vision who dedicated their talents, emotions, and egos to the crop's cause.
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