121 | Potato

Potato is 10000 years old vegetable

Potato is a starchy food and tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, a root vegetable native to America. This plant is a perennial of the nightshade family Solanaceae. Wild potatoes range from the southern United States to southern Chile. Originally, the potato is a crop of Native America.  If we say specific that is southern Peru and far northwestern Bolivia. Origin identified. About 7,000 to 10,000 years ago, these were domesticated by seeds of the Solanum brevicaule complex. In the Andean region of South America, potato relatives grow.

How it came to Europe

Potatoes were brought to Europe from America by the Spaniards in the late 16th century. Today they are a staple food in many parts of the world and an integral part of the global food supply. In 2014, potatoes were the fourth largest food crop in the world after maize, wheat and rice.

Potato History in Indian Subcontinent

No body knows exactly when this crop cultivation started in the Indian subcontinent. People believe that Portuguese sailors first brought potatoes to India in the early seventeenth century. The first record of potato cultivation in India appears in an issue of The Gardening Monthly published in England in 1847. Initially potato cultivation was done in the surrounding areas of Kolkata, from there it cultivation was introduced in Cherrapunji. During Warren Hastings’ governorship (1772-1785), potato cultivation spread to many provinces, including Bombay, under his initiative.

Nutrients

100 grams of edible potato contains 97 kcal, 74.7 grams of water, 22.6 grams of sugar, 1.6 grams of fat, 0.6 grams of fat, 0.4 grams of fiber, 11 mg of calcium, 0.7 mg of iron, 10 mg vitamin-C and zero decimal zero 3 mg vitamin B-1. Apart from this, potato peels contain vitamin-A, potassium, iron, vitamin-C and dietary fiber.

1. Blood Pressure Control: It help in maintaining blood pressure.
2. Aids in digestion: Potatoes are very good for digestion. Because it contains a lot of food grains.
3. Keeps skin healthy: Applying  juice on the skin removes various blemishes. It contain vitamin C, B complex, potassium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, etc., which are good for skin health. Apart from this,  juice also helps to get rid of sunburn.
4. Reduces stress: Contain vitamin B-6, which increases serotonin and dopamine, two important mood-boosting substances. As a result, stress is reduced. Keeps the brain active: It contain glucose, oxygen, vitamin B complex, amino acids, omega-3 and other fatty acids, which keep the brain active and functional.