After bread and cereals on the prevalence of this vegetable is likely to rank second.Africa or the Americas, Europe and Asia - regardless of the continent, they regale people around the world.We are so accustomed to it that they no longer consider him something new, and certainly not classify him among the delicacies.This is a long-known to us potatoes.Let us remember a time when he was not yet so widespread, we learn about some of the tragedy of his loss, and find out why it is still so valued in Russia.But let's start from the point where it has spread around the world.What was the birthplace of the potato?Is it Europe or elsewhere?
Homeland potato
has long been believed that the potato came to us from South America.Homeland potatoes - is Chile, Peru and Bolivia.Even today, in our time, in the Andes can be seen in the wild grows potatoes.There, at an altitude of more than a kilometer, the tubers can be found virtually all currently known varieties.According to scientists, in ancient times the Indians in that area could breed and crossbreed different varieties of plants, including potatoes.The very first information about the potato came from the Spaniard, a member of the military campaign of Julian de Castellanos in 1535.According to him, mealy root of this plant came to taste even the Spaniards.However, few people paid attention to his words.So it can be briefly described as the story of the origin of the potato began (its distribution).
As a culture came to Europe
following description of a potato, we are in the "Chronicle of Peru" Chiesa Pedro de Leon.It is very detailed and clearly described the plant.The story of the potato interested in the King of Spain, who gave the order to bring a huge number of overseas product.Thus, thanks to Spain, the birthplace of the potato - South America - has provided this vegetable throughout Europe.At first he was in Italy, and later to Belgium.Then the mayor of Mons (Belgium) handed the tubers for several studies and its arc friend in Vienna.Only his friend, also a botanist, described the potatoes in his work "On the plants."Thanks to him, the potato will have its own scientific name - Solyanum tuberozum eskulentum (tuber nightshade).After the time of his description of potatoes and vegetable crops the name became generally accepted.
Ireland
time has come to Ireland, and in the 1590s the potatoes got there.There he gained general recognition of the fact that well take root even in relatively unfavorable conditions.Regardless of the climate, wet or dry, soft or choppy, whether the tubers planted in fertile or fertile soil, potatoes bear fruit.Therefore, it is so widespread that 1950 at least a third of all arable area was planted with potato plantings.More than half of the harvest was directed to human consumption.Thus, potatoes began to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner.All is good, but suddenly there was a crop failure would be?The fed to the Irish in this case?They did not want to think about it.
consequences of poor harvests
Previously, it happened that the potatoes did not bring the expected harvest, then we make some effort to provide the necessary assistance to the victims.And if next year again turned out to collect the required number of roots, it covered the shortcomings of the previous period.For example, in 1845 there was another poor harvest.However, no one bothered cause of the incident.I must say that even then did not know much about late blight - a disease of potatoes, because of which failed to collect the required amount of vegetable.The fungus that infects tubers, resulting in rotting potatoes in the ground, and even after harvest from the fields.In addition, the fungal disease spores can easily spread through airborne droplets.And due to the fact that in Ireland, while the potatoes were planted only one variety, the entire crop was lost quickly.The same thing happened in the next few years, which led first to unemployment and then to the famine in the country.Indirectly, it affected the cholera outbreak, which in 1849 killed more than 36 thousand people.The history of the potato with the adverse turn of events led to the fact that the state has lost more than a quarter of its population.
Potatoes: The Story of visiting Russia
culture gradually spread to countries in Europe, as we have seen this in the example of Ireland, and in the early eighteenth century, it first appeared in Russia.In the years Peter I was passing in the Netherlands.There he had the opportunity to taste dishes made with potatoes (at that time, as now, did not know that the birthplace of the potato is South America).Tasted culinary innovation, Russian Tsar noted the original taste of the potato fruit.Since this delicacy in Russia was not yet, he decided to go to his home a sack of potatoes.Thus began the history of the potato in Russia.
in Black Earth, as well as soil acidity new culture medium is well taken root.However, the common people are still wary glances at this wonderful vegetable, as due to ignorance of correct methods of cooking have been numerous cases of poisoning.How to make the distribution of potatoes to put on a grand scale?Peter I was an intelligent man and figured out that it is possible to do.In some fields were planted tubers, and next put guard, who served during the day but went to the fields at night.This caused a great curiosity among simple peasants, and they began the night when no one sees podvorovyvat new vegetable and plant in their fields.However, the ubiquitous while "earthy apple" still has not received.There were many of those who "managed" etched its berries.Therefore, the "damn apple" mostly common people refused to grow up.In as much as 50-60 years old miracle vegetable forgotten in Russia.
potatoes became known
Later, Catherine II has played a big role in that the potato has become generally accepted.However, the main impetus to the spread of root crops was the famine that occurred in the 1860s.It was then, and remembered everything, than previously neglected, and were surprised to find that the potato has an excellent taste and is very nutritious.As the saying goes, "there would have been a blessing in disguise."
Here's an interesting story of potatoes in Russia.Thus, over time the tubers steel plant nationwide.Soon people realized how useful this vegetable stock, especially in times of bad harvest crops.Until now, potatoes are second bread as having enough in the cellar of his reserves, can live even in difficult times.Because of their calorie content and usefulness and to this day the first thing put in the garden - a potato tubers.
Why potato is so popular in Russia
Since Peter I once people hear about the chemical and nutritional value of the root to the human body.But the history of the potato shows that it contains substances necessary for survival in periods of famine, disease and misery.What is so valuable and useful in the usual root vegetables?It turns out that his proteins contain almost all the amino acids that we could meet in plant foods.Three hundred grams of this vegetable enough to satisfy the daily norm of potassium, phosphorus and carbohydrates.Potatoes, especially fresh, rich in vitamin C and fiber.Moreover, it also contains other elements necessary for life, such as iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, sodium, and even calcium.And the most useful substances contained precisely in potato skins, which today often do not eat.However, in times of famine, the common people do not neglect it and ate the potatoes whole, baked or boiled.
growing single varieties of potatoes, and consequences of this
As we have learned, the birthplace of potatoes - South America.There, farmers acted wisely, spreading roots of different varieties.Thus, only some of them have been exposed to the disease - late blight fungal.Therefore, even if such varieties were lost, it is not would entail such terrible disasters, both in Ireland.The fact that in nature there are varieties of the same culture, protects people from this kind of disaster.However, if the fruits grow only one variety, it can lead to the fact that once occurred in Ireland.As the use of various chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are particularly adversely affect the natural cycles and the environment in general.
The profitable to grow only one variety of potato
What's in this case, including in Russia, it encourages farmers to grow just one particular variety of potato?Basically it affects marketability and economic factors.Thus, farmers can bet on a beautiful view of the fruit, and thus to a greater demand among buyers.Also, the appearance of a standard culture can be explained by the fact that a particular potato variety brings in some areas higher yield than others.However, as we know, such an approach could have far-reaching adverse consequences.
Colorado beetle - the main enemy of gardeners Russian
huge damage to crops may apply insect pests.Very well known to every gardener or farmer is one kind of leaf beetle - a Colorado potato beetle.For the first time in 1859 it was discovered how many difficulties in potato breeding can bring this insect.And in the 1900s beetle and it got to Europe.When it was brought here by chance, he quickly embraced the whole continent, including Russia.Because of its resistance to chemicals, which are used to combat it, the bug is almost the main enemy of every gardener.So, to end this threat, in addition to chemicals, we began to use agricultural practices.And now in Russia every summer resident who wants to feast on homemade fried or baked potatoes in the coals of the fire, first have to become familiar with some simple tricks to combat this threat.
