Geographical origins of the potato.?

Question

I am lead to believe that on his return from America, Walter Releigh prestented tobacco and a potato to Queen Elizabeth. However, since the potato is found growing literally all over the world are we to believe that its origins are from northern america and only through trade routes the potato has dominated global agriculture?

Answer 1

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, commonly grown for its starchy tuber. Potatoes are the world's most widely grown tuber crop, and the fourth largest crop in terms of fresh produce (after rice, wheat, and corn {maize})). The potato originated in southern Peru [1] and is important to the culture of the Andes, where farmers grow many different varieties that have a remarkable diversity of colors and shapes. Potatoes spread from the Americas to the rest of the world after European colonization in the late 1400s and early 1500s and have since become an important field crop. The potato is also often strongly associated with Idaho, Prince Edward Island, Ireland and Russia, after having been adopted by these regions after the Columbian Exchange. However, it is native to Peru and was first cultivated by the Incas.

Answer 2

History and Origin of the Potato

The birthplace of the "Irish" white potato that we eat today is in the Andean Mountains of South America, at heights of 4,000 to 6,000 feet.

The potato was cultivated more than 6,000 years ago near Titicaca Lake, on the border between Perú and Bolivia, where the greatest diversity of wild species can be found.


The Aymara Indians developed over two hundred varieties on the Titicaca Plateau at elevations above 10,000 feet.

They were the innovators of the freeze-dried potato, or chuño. “Chuño” is still produced as it was at the time of the Incas.

The potatoes are spread on the ground on frosty nights. During the day they are covered with straw to protect against the burning rays of the sun.

This way the potatoes go completely white. After exposure to several nights of frost, women and children trample on the potatoes to get rid of moisture and wear away the peel.

The potatoes are then put in a stream with running water for a few weeks in order to wash out the bitter taste. Finally they're dried for about 14 days and can be stored without problems for up to 4 years."


The influence of potatoes extended throughout the Incan culture. Incas counted units of time related to how long it took for a potato to cook to various consistencies. Potatoes were even used to divine the truth and predict weather.

Potatoes have been one of mankind's most important food staples for the past millennium. So, Spanish Conquistadores didn't find the gold and silver they were looking for but they found a much more valuable treasure. Just think about how many people have been saved from hunger and starvation thanks to the amazing potato!

Throughout Latin America, the potato still goes by the Quechua name PAPA.

Answer 3

South America

Answer 4

Sure it was South America as someone said before. Also potatos as they originally were found i believe were poisonous. They are in the same family as belladonna and tomatoes (again, hope my memory serves me right here).
The have been bred over the centuries and what we know as a potatoe might not even resemble the original potatoe anymore.

Answer 5

"I Been Down so long It feels like as much as Me."- Lee Hazelwood "sixteen plenty" - Tennessee Ernie Ford BQ precise middle kind economically me and the missus we make a ton, yet seem to interrupt even or perhaps nevertheless grant money to people and the youngsters. in my view i'm in person-friendly words a white trash farm boy ex soldier what made sturdy working for the explanation that 14 and stayed on the interest for the in simple terms good 38 years. The bypass away out's she teaches and is a union negotiator and lobbyist.

Answer 6

Ireland

Answer 7

I was always led to believe it was South America. Somebody told me though that it was Walkers

Answer 8

it originally orignated in south america, it is similar to yams (found in carriabean islands and mainland south america)