franek80
Cosmopolitan
From Sea To Shining Sea
Posts: 875
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Post by franek80 on Feb 8, 2008 11:38:13 GMT -7
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Potato Wine
Potato! - History
The history of the potato has its roots in the windswept Andes Mountains of South America. It is an austere region plagued by fluctuating temperatures and poor soil conditions. Yet the tough and durable potato evolved in its thin air (elevations up to 15,000 feet), climbing ever higher like the people who first settled the region.
The tough pre-Columbian farmers first discovered and cultivated the potato some 7,000 years ago. They were impressed by its ruggedness, storage quality and its nutritional value. Western man did not come in contact with the potato until as late as 1537 when the Conquistadors tramped through Peru. And it was even later, about 1570, that the first potato made its way across the Atlantic to make a start on the continent of Europe.
Though the tuber was productive and hardy, the Spanish put it to very limited use. In the Spanish Colonies potatoes were considered food for the underclasses; when brought to the Old World they would be used primarily to feed hospital inmates.
It would take three decades for the potato to spread to the rest of Europe. Even so the potato was cultivated primarily as a curiosity by amateur botanists. Resistance was due to ingrained eating habits, the tuber's reputation as a food for the underpriveleged and perhaps most importantly its relationship to poisonous plants.
The potato is a member of the nightshade family and its leaves are, indeed, poisonous. A potato left too long in the light will begin to turn green. The green skin contains a substance called solanine which can cause the potato to taste bitter and even cause illness in humans. Such drawbacks were understood in Europe, but the advantages, generally, were not.
Europe would wait until the 1780's before the potato gained prominence anywhere. About 1780 the people of Ireland adopted the rugged food crop. The primary reason for its acceptance in Ireland was its ability to produce abundant, nutritious food. Unlike any other major crop, potatoes contain most of the vitamins needed for sustenance. Perhaps more importantly, potatoes can provide this sustenance to nearly 10 people on an acre of land. This would be one of the prime factors causing a population explosion in the early 1800s. Of course, by the mid-1800's the Irish would become so dependent upon this crop that its failure would provoke a famine.
While in Ireland the potato gained acceptance from the bottom up, in France the potato was imposed upon society by an intellectual. Antoine Augustine Parmentier saw that the nutritional benefits of the crop combined with its productive capacity could be a boon to the French farmer. He was a pharmacist, chemist and employee of Louis XV. Parmentier discovered the benefits of the potato while held prisoner by the Prussians during the Seven Years War. He was so enamored by the potato that he determined that it should become a staple of the French diet. After failing by conventional means to convince Frenchmen of its advantages, he determined upon a surreptitious means of making his point.
Parmentier acquired a miserable and unproductive spot of ground on the outskirts of Paris. There, he planted 50 acres of potatoes. During the day, he set a guard over it. This drew considerable attention in the neighborhood. In the evening the guard was relaxed and the locals came to see what all the fuss was about. Believing this plant must be valuable, many peasants "acquired" some of the potatoes from the plot, and soon were growing the root in their own garden plots. Their resistance was overcome by their curiosity and desire to better their lot with the obviously valuable new produce.
Soon the potato would gain wide acceptance across Europe and eventually make its way back over the Atlantic to North America. As time passed, the potato would become one of the major food stuffs of the world. But not without a few bumps in the road. The 1840's saw disastrous potato blight. This terrible disease was caused by a fungus known as Phytophthora infestans. With the devastation of potato crops throughout Europe came the destruction and dislocation of many of the populations that had become dependent upon it. The Potato Famine in Ireland would cut the population by half (through both starvation and emigration). An effective fungicide was not found until 1883 by the French botanist, Alexandre Millardet.
Today, the potato is so common, plentiful and pervasive in the Western diet that it is taken for granted. We forget that it has only been with us for a few hundred years. For a new appreciation of the potato, check out our sections on its
Franek
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Post by livia on Feb 8, 2008 13:32:45 GMT -7
That was interesting reading. It seems the potatoe for a lot of years has become a staple of a diet in the countries more to the East.
I wanted to ask about 'staple' word. Joyce had already used it here and I thought I learned it already. But obviously I can't feel its meaning yet. So what means staple? Something eatable or something kind of the most popular meal?
Sidenote. I wouldn't bore you with such question if I was able to find the full meaning elsewhere. Even the big fat Webster didn't explain that properly to me ;D ;D ;D
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Post by bescheid on Feb 8, 2008 13:33:44 GMT -7
Franek
A very interesting history of the {Potato}! And so well to be ignored as of any importance? For in my early days of life, the potato/cabage and turnip was of vast importance of life, yes..
For some of my sommer work whilst in school, was as first, in the harvest of hay, then potato, and shortly, cabage and turnip harvest. It was hard and fast work, for the sweat of the brow was a badge of courage in the heat of the sun.
Then as age and maturity arrived, it was to the marine repair yards to work with descaling equipement upon the hulls of worn ships and see going equipment. Then to the slips for observation and evaluation of wear and assist in repair report presenatation.
What the above design was for: was to trap and provide of no way out for a young mans dreams to escape out of the drudgery of a slave trap of stinking fish smell/ smell of stinking oil, diesel fuel motors, listining to the valve train of an old worn diesel motor for the sound of a out of adjustment valve, then to feel with fingers for the loose part as a prelonging adjustment to a machine that was soon to be scrap in a few operational hours.
And worse, for a young mind, the chatter at end of fishing run, the talk of how good the fish run was, and the market will be better next week, and the next week will come and go and the talk goes better with run of beer...How I hated those people, and I was of them, and so I hated also my self, but most of all, I hated the darn darn see, for it was my trap and I am of the sea.
For part of the trap, is the smell of coffee, the smell of fish mixed with diesel upon the work cloths of people you trust and love for with their rough speak, they are conveying they trust also you {my self} and with this, I must repay to them, their trust with my self. I hated them and all of that of my young life, as a trap, for to do other wise, was a hurt from the inside that would be unbearable.
Charles
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franek80
Cosmopolitan
From Sea To Shining Sea
Posts: 875
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Post by franek80 on Feb 8, 2008 14:30:54 GMT -7
: History of the Potato « Reply #3 on Today at 4:24pm » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Livia! Staple??? Hell I dont know.. II think it means (Adequate) With my 8th grade education I am not the one to ask. What led me to research the potato,was an article about the MINI ICE AGE in the 16 th century.. Thr Poilsh food supply froze and rotted in the fields.. Mostly grains. People were starving. The potato survived the cold.Sooo, what did we get out out of this?  ?? VODKA. and potato plazcki,nd of course, French Fries. |
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Post by livia on Feb 8, 2008 17:24:01 GMT -7
: History of the Potato « Reply #3 on Today at 4:24pm » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Livia! Staple??? Hell I dont know.. II think it means (Adequate) With my 8th grade education I am not the one to ask. What led me to research the potato,was an article about the MINI ICE AGE in the 16 th century.. Thr Poilsh food supply froze and rotted in the fields.. Mostly grains. People were starving. The potato survived the cold.Sooo, what did we get out out of this? ?? VODKA. and potato plazcki,nd of course, French Fries. Dear Franek- Szanowny Panie Franku! I didn't know exactly about the >MINI ICE AGE<. I heard about it in passing. I will read more about it tomorrow. I am glad there was one even if placki are the sole outcome of it! ;D ;D ;D Pozdrawiam serdecznie - My cordial regards! |
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Post by leslie on Feb 8, 2008 19:14:21 GMT -7
Franek
I enjoyed your history of the potato and particularly the pun that was made - not deliberately I think -"The history of the potato has its roots" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
t is good to see you being so active on your return - long may it last! I am in the reverse mode - I've had a number of ailments right through 2007 (and continuing!) and they have certainly reduced my enthusiasm for everything. I think only one thing remains, but it is the worst - an Aortic aneurysm that the consultant is not ready to operate on.
Keep up the good work and Sto lat
Leslie
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Post by justjohn on Feb 8, 2008 21:03:27 GMT -7
That was interesting reading. It seems the potatoe for a lot of years has become a staple of a diet in the countries more to the East. I wanted to ask about 'staple' word. Joyce had already used it here and I thought I learned it already. But obviously I can't feel its meaning yet. So what means staple? Something eatable or something kind of the most popular meal? Sidenote. I wouldn't bore you with such question if I was able to find the full meaning elsewhere. Even the big fat Webster didn't explain that properly to me ;D ;D ;D Stsple when used in 'food staple' means a basic food, most common food item. It has another meaning. When you staple the sheets of paper together. This is using a tool to attach sheets of paper.  |
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Post by leslie on Feb 9, 2008 3:01:16 GMT -7
JJ
Thank you for explaining so well 'staple' for Livia's benefit. I can add another for you, although I don't think you'll accept it - one of the strong regional dialects in the UK is the one from Cumberland (now called Cumbria) where I had some of my roots - not potato ones! In this dialect when you say 'staple' you are talking about the spire or steeple of a church! For example, 'Ize gaan t' clim up church staple'.
Leslie
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Post by justjohn on Feb 9, 2008 7:02:10 GMT -7
: History of the Potato « Reply #3 on Today at 4:24pm » -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Livia! Staple??? Hell I dont know.. II think it means (Adequate) With my 8th grade education I am not the one to ask. What led me to research the potato,was an article about the MINI ICE AGE in the 16 th century.. Thr Poilsh food supply froze and rotted in the fields.. Mostly grains. People were starving. The potato survived the cold.Sooo, what did we get out out of this? ?? VODKA. and potato plazcki,nd of course, French Fries. Dear Franek- Szanowny Panie Franku! I didn't know exactly about the >MINI ICE AGE<. I heard about it in passing. I will read more about it tomorrow. I am glad there was one even if placki are the sole outcome of it! ;D ;D ;D Pozdrawiam serdecznie - My cordial regards! Livia, Go to 'Brain Food' and the sun also sets - - Some more reference to the mini ice age. |
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franek80
Cosmopolitan
From Sea To Shining Sea
Posts: 875
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Post by franek80 on Feb 9, 2008 8:33:34 GMT -7
Leslie!
I am so sorry to hear about your medical problem.. There for awhile I thought that you were angry with me. Hell, not even once did you insult me..I was getting concerned.. NAW! Leslie I am only kidding. I wouldn't want you any other way.
As for your problem. You can start to expect more of the same.
Hell Leslie at our age our studing days are over.
Niech ta gwiazda milosci co zawsze swici na ciebie,nigdy nie zagasnie .
May your lucky star in heaven that always shines on you, never be extinguished
Na zdrowie Pantswo LESLIE
FRANEK
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Post by leslie on Feb 9, 2008 8:47:43 GMT -7
Franek
Many thanks for the good wishes. What me insult you - you know that a few on the forum call me Sir Leslie because I am always, kind, considerate, pleasant and accommodating with everybody (well perhaps not always with Pawian - but we have an understanding if he insults me I know he is only joking, and when I insult him - he knows I mean it!!! ;D
Now to a quote from your email:
"""Hell Leslie at our age our studing days are over."""
You speak for yourself boyo! My main regret about this aneurysm is that I can't fly (wings too weak) over to Poland to see my special lady friend (in her 30s) over there. Eat your heart out!!! ;D
It really is good to have you back and I have enjoyed your war stories - I daren't repeat mine (Charles/Karl/Bescheid knows one reason) and I'm not going to repeat the others - there is such a thing as blackmail you know!!!
Pozdrawiam bardzo
Leslie
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Post by valpomike on Feb 9, 2008 9:04:14 GMT -7
franek80,
When did the Polish find that the potato makes a good drink? How did this come around?
Why do the Russians want to say they invented Vodka, and that theirs is the best, when we all know, the Polish is the best.
Michael Dabrowski
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Post by kaima on Feb 9, 2008 9:09:33 GMT -7
'Ize gaan t' clim up church staple'. Leslie, Here is a regionalism in another vein out of America ... Can Cold Water Clean Dishes? This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry about using cold water to clean. John went to visit his 90-year-old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of West Virginia . After spending a great evening chatting the night away, John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast. However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, "Are these plates clean?" His grandfather replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get' em. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!" For lunch the old man made hamburgers. Again, John was concerned about the plates as his appeared to have tiny specks around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?" Without looking up the old man said, " I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them. Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!" Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl, and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, "Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car". Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV, the old man shouted, "COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN NOW, YAH HEAR ME!!!" |
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franek80
Cosmopolitan
From Sea To Shining Sea
Posts: 875
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Post by franek80 on Feb 11, 2008 14:38:33 GMT -7
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?? VODKA. and potato plazcki,nd of course, French Fries.
