Potato? Potato.
Potatoes, no matter big or small, thick or thin. We love them all!
But remember, they fall into 3 basic categories: waxy (smoother texture and well suitable for soups salads, and stews), starchy (great for baking and frying as they are fluffy and absorbent), and all-purpose (in-between).
Psst! A note on potato safety: if you see green-tint on the skin of a potato, it means that the potato was exposed to too much light and developed toxins that can cause conditions like cramping, fever, and even diarrhea.
Here are some interesting facts about potatoes that you may or may have not heard of:
1.When you buy potatoes, they’re still ALIVE.
In comparison to plucked carrots and dead grapes, potatoes stay alive even after being plucked. With the warmth and moisture in the potatoes, they can start sprouting, the reason why you should store your potatoes cool and dry.
2. A sweet potato ISN’T actually a potato.
You heard that right! Your beloved sweet potatoes aren’t actually under the Irish potato family as sweet potatoes are actually swollen roots.
3. Potatoes were the 1st vegetable to grow in space.
During the 1990s, NASA and the University of Winsconsin partnered-up to first test seeding potatoes in space. In 2004, NASA used the Chinese technique to make the ultimate potato and was dubbed the Quantum Tubers ™.
A very big achievement for a potato indeed.
4. Potatoes last a long time if you treat them right.
Just like a relationship, taking good care of it is the secret to a long-lasting relationship.
To make your potatoes last long, it is important to make sure that they are dried off before you store. By taking care of them right, it can last up to 6 months!
5. Potato chips were invented by mistake!
Back in 1853, when a customer named Cornelius Vanderbilt didn’t like the thick-cut potatoes on his meal, the chef, George Crum, got annoyed and sliced the potatoes as thinly as he could and fried them into crispy potatoes. Vanderbilt loved them, and the chef’s revenge turned into our favourite go-to snack.
