From "The Work of the Devil" to Fast Food French Fries: The Wild Story of Potatoes

[@OTRontheroad]

Location pins, and one quick note: First- I want to clarify a couple of points in the video: 1) how the potato blight reached Europe is controversial; there are plenty of articles and books that claim it arrived first from North America. I trust the Smithsonian research and several Irish studies, which is why we stated the Peruvian origin, but I should have pointed out that it's not a definitive fact. And 2) Daria has been listening to a podcast on the French Revolution during her marathon training runs (I know, she's probably a sociopath) and informed me last night that my speculation about Louis XVI's potato decoration when he was sent to the guillotine couldn't be true, because he was in hiding as a commoner. Ah well. Locations: 1- Chinese: maps.app.goo.gl/w5JvQLtwyGAcY1hx8 2- French: maps.app.goo.gl/xMqAGtVrMAy75wDK9 3- Irish: maps.app.goo.gl/BuLfQYAcbS6uxZLB8 4- Ms. Maria and Mr. Singh: maps.app.goo.gl/AZ9NqfwFSvP8sJ4Z9 And as always...our video was filmed at Boonlang (maps.app.goo.gl/UTiHPQszTb4pD6tf6) and our delivery burgers came from Easy Burger (maps.app.goo.gl/v9omBMhNL9dGDv2K6) Cheers all

[@vipulgarg9391]

The link to Boonlang and Easy Burger is not working

[@ThainaYu]

As a trueborn Bangkokian I don't even know we have authentic Irish pub here Actually I feel we must have one, I don't know we really have one Can Thai people say we have restaurant from all countries around the world here as of yet?

[@ivettecorrea1496]

Superb content!👌👏💪

[@mattdragon333]

The one you made is more like chuño, the white one is called moraya, chuño is somewhat fermented too, and put under pressure

[@Neiot]

I am going to predict that your next video is gonna be about oil, e.g olive oil, avocado oil, animal fats, etc... Unless, of course, you choose to make a video on corn/maize. That's a good topic, too.

[@wrongdirection7738]

I am from Andhra, India and we speak a language called Telugu here. In Telugu, potato is called ‘Bangala dumpa’ (బంగాళదుంప) which translates to ‘ Root vegetable from Bengal ‘ and I never thought about it. I obviously presumed that it might be from Bengal ( i was a kid ). Now, when you said that British introduced it in their colonies first, it stuck me that Bengal is the first area under british occupation and i was able to connect the dots. Thank you so much for your work

[@krono5el]

learn about the 5 cradles of civilization to know where all the things you love come from. Asia, South and Central America, India, Africa.

[@knotsbygordion]

Rice, Wheat, Corn, Potatoes - the cornerstone staples that have made caloric intake so much less of a struggle for humans. You've hit Rice and Potatoes, we'd love a look at the other two.

[@JamesChurchill3]

Wheat and barley would also have big tangents into brewing and farming, they were arguably the reason humans started living in cities and can be stated as the reason for civilisation to begin as we know it.

[@ChineseKiwi]

Surprised Adam hasn't done corn yet as it's a very convenient excuse to have a taste of home!

[@alecity4877]

also oats and millet

[@mcdo724]

Cassava

[@paulstephens7949]

Corn is a nightmare, as "what and where" exactly the ancient ancestor of modern corn is from is still a point of hot debate. No one knows. A few plants from central and South America are possible candidates, but the DNA don't match

[@cameronoconnor5364]

Excellent again! I particularly love your deep dives on the staples. Potato, rice, noodles, coconut. Coconut kinda blew my mind. Great work.

[@vincentcleaver1925]

Coconut is the food staple from a tree, a palm so fast growing I guess. Strange that coconuts and dates are related

[@woolfel]

I've seen a lot of videos about potato and this is the most thorough and detailed. learned a lot, thanks

[@CoronaTwerking]

A lot?

[@bohuslavhumplik6744]

The BEST episode Yet! Y'all teach food history in a fun and relatable way!

[@KilanEatsandDrinks]

As an Indonesian, it’s easy to overlook the “Western” potato, but then I remember how vital it is for our beloved dishes. Without it, we wouldn’t have perkedel, the potato patty inspired by Dutch frikandel (minced meat sausage), or side dishes like sambal kentang krecek (potato and cattle skin in chili), and even desserts like kue lumpur. So, here’s a shoutout to the potato and the Incas! Cheers! 🍻

[@OTRontheroad]

Interesting point and also reminds me of the Dutch-influenced potato dishes we found in Sri Lanka as well

[@KilanEatsandDrinks]

@ Dutch-influenced potato dishes in Sri Lanka? Sounds like we need another video on potatoes! 😁 We do have a few Dutch-inspired dishes in Indonesia, although we probably have more Portuguese influence, but strangely with Spanish-influenced names. Like “Pastel Tutup”, which is minced meat and vegetables topped with cheese and mashed potatoes, the Indonesian version of Shepherd’s Pie.

[@rocketsjudoka]

Also in the cuisine of Macau there are potato dishes inspired by the Portugese and potatoes dishes in Japan were likely from Portugese and Dutch traders as seen in Shogun.

[@judithgreenwood6247]

I’m making carapulcra in Umbria, IT. I can get the lovely dried potatoes in Perugia, at a Chinese supermarket. Worldwide potatoes, indeed.

[@CaravelClerihew]

Honey, get up! There's a new OTR video!

[@rebeccaburnell9319]

I literally just sent it to my dad, who... will not be awake yet (7min after time-stamped upload) lol 😂

[@MrPolluxxxx]

Came here to post this

[@jrmloh]

Ethan Chlebowski and OTR both having a Potato related video in the same week is definitely a treat.

[@gohamorgohome]

@CaravelClerihew most original and intelligent comment goes to... not you. Sigh.

[@MrPolluxxxx]

@@gohamorgohome relax, that's just a meme

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

Great episode. As you say, potatoes (and maize, too) were a game changer in Early Modern Europe, including Central Eastern Europe, not only because the tubers being hidden in the ground, they were spared the devastation by armies etc. that grain and vegetables were not (25:30), but also because the peasants were allowed to keep all of these for their own consumption while a great portion of the grains had to be given over to feudal and ecclesiastic authorities. This is the reason that paradoxically, three plants coming from the Columbian Exchange (potatoes, maize and pepper or paprika) are the main ingredients of what is considered traditional Hungarian cuisine. That being said, it is less clear when and from whom exactly these were borrowed by Hungarian peasants. While there are archaic expressions for maize and pepper/paprika in Hungarian meaning "Turkish corn" and "Turkish pepper" and indicating Turkish involvement, there's no such expression for potatoes.

[@choss0]

great episode! didn't expect it to be so good but definitely delivered!

[@teoengchin]

Potatoes also kept Matt Damon alive while he was stranded on Mars

[@Your.Uncle.AngMoh]

You beauty. Another OTR video. I'm off to bed now, so I'll watch it in the morning.

[@shantanubharvirkar7759]

Love these history of condiments, food history videos...KEEP IT UP OTR NATIOOOOON

[@alexsmith9617]

Your wife poised, chop sticks in hand, waiting for you to say go!, eat! Is priceless! I laughed out loud 😂

[@milesmcdonald4367]

Your videos completely changed the way I see food

[@kawaiikittylee]

Thank you!!! Would love to see a "History of Corn" video also 😀

[@CAVIAR-i8h]

Thank the team. You made my day with this drop. Gaggan Anand will definitely get a visit in January.

[@martyhandley4456]

Dude .and dudette......this was freaking killer.....best show to date, you just keep getting better and better.

[@twinflowerfioretta]

I really can`t live without potatos ! Fantastic topic OTR ❤🥔🥔👍brilliant history behind - Thank you for your awesome research !

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

If you love potatos that much, please also be good at growing them. Just because you can. 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

[@marleyterania_]

I cannot understate how much I love this channel and the people that run it

[@Dalektardis123]

Cruel

[@jennifers6055]

​@@Dalektardis123 Chicanerous and deplorable.

[@erzsebetkovacs2527]

All the dishes that you had onscreen looked incredibly mouth watering, but I just want to mention a Slovakian (and Hungarian) peasants' dish that is probably less known to English native speakers, and that is bryndzové halusky (sp?), also misleadingly called sztrapacska by the Hungarians. It is a thick pancake mix (so to speak) made with grated raw potatoes, flour, some oil and optional egg, dropped in tiny pieces and cooked in boiling water, then turned in hot bacon fat and a local variety of fresh ewe's cheese called bryndza, and eaten as noodles, traditionally with a sprinkling of fried bacon cubes. Obviously, it's the result of peasants living in the mountains and tending to sheep trying to stretch expensive flour from the lowlands with locally growing ingredients, but it's delicious.

[@rugile2164]

rahhhh lithuania mentioned 🔥🔥🔥

[@MlleFunambuline]

Love the videos that are history of ingredients, thank you !

[@EarthCamper]

Who on earth would have thought of potato video.....love the video....❤ watching it ...

[@Stetch42]

From Sweden. Here potatos are borderline holy. And for me personally the single best product in the world. Something you never get tired of eating. And its almost unlimited usage makes it one of the best food products ever. From a chefs standpoint it also have a taste that doesnt take over so can be used in almost every dish out there.

[@akapilka]

Best food/ingredient ever. Nothing comes close.

[@artasky6093]

Egg

[@akapilka]

​​​@@artasky6093 hmm, meat is a great contender, but only after we domesticated meat animals. Hunted meat is definitely inferior.

[@Loranzojose2000]

I was laughing at the great chuńo experiment because I knew the result was it would taste exactly like…… a potato. You can buy it at many Latino markets in the US, and I have taken it on backpacking trips.

[@paulduckworth1121]

Adam, I discovered your channel not that long ago and absolutely love it. Your content and presentation is spot on. Thank you.

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

As a German, I really appreciate this video more than all the other brilliant ones! :⁠-⁠)

[@dereinzigwahreRichi]

Oh and as you mentioned the first "European" plantations of potatoes in the Canary Islands: you have to try papas arrugadas, it's little potatoes boiled in very salty water until it evaporates and a salty crust remains on the outside of the potatoes. Legend says they used seawater for this, which isn't a bad idea if you're gonna boil it for half an hour anyway and you don't have to use your rare fresh water.

[@arklu8341]

FINALLY an OTR cooking show

[@anyasky1594]

Great video! Greetings from the Andes!

[@oldsarj]

I was so inspired that I got a home grown potato out of my dark storage (it weighed 18 oz!) sliced half of it thin and fried it in duck fat with sliced onions. That and a glass of milk was dinner. BTW, you left out the Danish experimenter who lived for an entire year on potatoes and margarine (Yuck!) in perfect health and even lost weight. Amazing. I will probably mash the other half with roasted garlic.

[@tony_xu]

Adam's eating French dishes with spoon and fork is peak Thai-ness. 😆

[@lizamohd7151]

No mention of potato will never complete without the Irish Famine. In my country, few years ago, secondary students read The Potato People in their English class.

[@jim.pearsall]

Fantastic video - well-researched, well-scripted and well-told. 👏🏻👍🏻😄 Love your channel. 💙😊

[@PKmuffdiver]

Dude, you are killing it. That was a shit tonne of work. As I said last vid, you just keep getting better, and now more concise.

[@ChineseKiwi]

According to Max Miller, potato chips as we know them today may come from at least 1817 from the English cookbook 'Cook's Oracle', but as you rightfully have stated with other dishes, probably cooked before then.

[@OTRontheroad]

Yeah I mentioned that in an earlier draft of the script but took it out because there’s actually a fair bit of controversy about the texture of that dish and whether it’s anything resembling the Saratoga version. There’s a clear path from Saratoga to what we know today, but the British version disappears after that one mention so I am of the opinion that it was unrelated.

[@Djynni]

From your Machu Piccu section: "all that without any fat or cholesterol". Since your channel is about food, I just wanted to point out that this is not a selling point for food any more. Fat and cholesterol are now an equal part of a healthy diet, and high cholesterol may not even be bad for your health - just certain very specific types of cholesterol.

[@Roboto-chan_1402]

As a Type1 diabetic, all those carbs I saw on the table made me break out in sweats. 😅 I miss being able to eat the humble spud without any worry or regret. Sweet potatoes/ yams and pumpkins are an acceptable substitute though. And thank goodness for the invention of konnyaku rice (or beras porang in Indonesian)!

[@Djynni]

@@Roboto-chan_1402 As someone who has switched to Keto from the Standard American Diet, I'm with you on the carbs lol.

[@VVabsa]

​@@Djynni But potatoes have all those nutrients without fat and cholesterol. You are trying to set up something not related to the subject. Also, this is a time of abundance. Having a crop that that fills the stomach and grows almost everywhere is somewhat of a godsend when a week of rain could mean starvation for you, your family and your cattle.

[@mikac743]

Next level writing, as always. Thanks for the vid otr.

[@AlvaroTangocci]

That was a great and enjoyable report, well done guys

[@HalimWander]

when i visited the island java in Indonesia, I noticed the locals grow a lot of potatoes on their land..flat ground.. uphill..on the cliff..it grow flourish..they also have dishes call begedil..which something like mash potatoes stuffed with meat...very delicious

[@cuttwice3905]

"We're going to hibernate for like about a week after this shoot." Daria's food review that will keep restaurants in business

[@manosspaceswimmer2267]

So many thanks for your videos man… I cannot love them more ❤️

[@florencepierce1864]

🤯👍I knew factoids about the not-so-humble 'tater', but never realised how much I DIDN'T know! Thanks for amazing insights into world history via the potato, over so many eras. I always appreciated potatoes, but never really understood how much of our history, that it affected & continues to affect to this day!🥔🍠

[@pflh2391]

keep up the good work guys! i've been addicted to watching your videos when I'm working or doing other stuff love the vibe and the content

[@ferntreemusic]

Love your work, guys MWA

[@joris7000]

As A Belgian I have to say they are Belgian Fries! otherwise cool video as always

[@sts0868]

Excellent job! Soon you'll have 200.000 Subscribers - you earn 2 millons ;-)

[@pepperowl4034]

love this channel but wasn't gonna watch it because i know a crazy amount on this subject but u guys delivered again ty

[@serinodiaz4140]

Super well done!!!😊

[@dougsinthailand7176]

Great episode! You know what’s crazy? I once bought Singha soda thinking it was beer. Imagine my surprise.

[@Brother_Mike]

Yes😮 a new ORT video, thank you

[@nameinvalid69]

I'm freaking hungry now... thanks.

[@BenedictoLagardeJr.-it3bw]

Excellent. Your research on coconut got me hooked.

[@satishapnabazar1418]

Potato is a world conqueror.

[@nevertoopoortotour.3033]

It's a food show with history tidbits thrown in.

[@lilyfraser3946]

You are fantastic

[@manosspaceswimmer2267]

Love your videos mate!!! ❤

[@joshuacabonce]

Love these videos

[@ferjll]

You should’ve shown how potatoes are use to make desserts and soft drinks and how Peruvians eat potatos, I know you are in a remote location an you do the best with what you have around you so.. good job!!

[@harveyfelipe2436]

eating chips while watching a video about the history of potatoes life is good

[@andrewdunbar828]

Finally ate a dish with สะตอ last night which had me wondering when your next video was due.

[@timberdrifter8225]

Excellent!

[@moviefearless]

Every cuisine of the world have a bit of the Peruvian Cuisine (the best cuisine of the world) through the potato as part of their own menu!

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

❤❤Who does not just love all kinds of potatos??❤❤ 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔

[@aryaaswale7316]

this was very enjoyable

[@rocketsjudoka]

When I went to Harbin in North Eastern China I noted how almost every meal we had some variation of the shredded potatoes you ate "Tu Dou Shi". In Ireland learned some of the history about the Potato Famine and how it affected Irish culture along with some of the songs about how many Irish fled on Coffin Ships to the Americas and Australia because of it. Finally got to try the original multi colored potatoes in Peru and see them still cultivated including at a site called Moray where the Incans experimented with microclimates to grow different kinds. Thank you for this great video and tomorrow at Thanksgiving here in the US I will give thanks to the humble potato side dish. Also that chef who is working on Indian and Mexican fusion should start a restaurant in Houston which has both great Indian and Mexican cuisine.

[@FLyiNGSmaSHeD]

Such incredible content. We are not worthy!!!

[@ChineseKiwi]

What great timing! I was going to go to sleep but potato lore!

[@coletaylor725]

literally talkin w mom about making a potato garden and the what nots then stumbling on this video after hangin up.. a sign? ill take it anyway.

[@ChrisAguilera-q3l]

It's OTR time.

[@Wenwaters]

I absolutely love love love your videos. Questions I wonder if we have answers to. Thank you for these incred8ble in-depth videos. So much research so much love. Tnank you 😊

[@vitovalpo]

Here in Chiloé Island, Chile we have more than 400 types of native potatoes, their DNA is different than the potatoes in Perú.....wild man! It doesn´t really matter where they started, we need to preserve varieties in order keep improving its properties. Que viva la Papa !! Cheers!

[@OTRontheroad]

Yep keep watching, towards the end there’s a segment on chile

[@SchmittsPeter]

That tartar looked terrific - you need to do an episode about vietnamese (and imported) raw meat dishes :-D . I'm sure there is a nice selection.

[@railwaysofthesun]

Amazing video! A little correction - potato pancakes are not the national dish of Slovakia, that would be bryndzové halušky - dumplings with sheep cheese, also mentioned by another commenter. These are also made with potatoes, though, so still applies!

[@raifsevrence]

Success ! And then of course they ate the hamburgers a fries 🤣 Another absolutely fantastic video. Thank you.

[@asiaexpat62]

Have been born in Idaho I found this and excellent bit of history. Great job OTR.

[@lardycone]

Bro, I am now going to try Spudnuts in Farmington, NM. Many Thanks! Looking forward to your video on corn.

[@Nik85578]

The better question is why it’s so hard for local gardeners to grow without pesticides!

[@ciberbri59]

Mind blowing

[@kennyprg]

Another ordinary ORT video... just 58 minutes jam packed with info.... Bachelor degree thesis grade.... Just tell me... who and how long, does the research for each video.... Thanks....I always learn a lot..

[@louisroden6424]

Thank you for showing how directly the English were responsible for wiping out the Irish people!

[@NiX_aKi]

That Chuño broth would taste great if it had beef or chicken

[@OTRontheroad]

It killed me not to make a broth base but I wanted to stay as old school as I could.

[@iskandartaib]

57:11 - Ah.. and I thought you'd forgotten the vodka altogether... 😁

[@sk.n.9302]

Really interesting!

[@ChristopherShaskin]

Two minutes in, subscribe.

[@NanChirayukool]

Now i wanna see a full feature film of how potato conquer the world!

[@csyeo8963]

did you coordinate with ethan chlebowski because this is insane timing 😂. 2 amazing potato videos to watch while eating potatoes!

[@davidpaul5938]

so, chunio were instant potatoes before technology xD

[@jamesbarels469]

It is technology. Just like the development of Corn/Maize.

[@thecomment9489]

Ah potato the most versatile vegetable. It's used in almost every kind of cuisine we can think of.

[@oneilluminatus]

“Boil them, smash’em, stick’em in a stew, lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of a right fish…. Even you couldn’t say no to that!!” Samewise Gamgee

[@mr.normalguy69]

I love potatoes 🥔😋

[@jamesgreen5431]

Once again shows the the worldwide impact of the Columbian exchange cannot be overstated.

[@krono5el]

Well if those foods never existed like in europe, europeans cruising around world would have only spread slavery. so thank the people who created those food so they could have been traded. not one food is originally from europe besides maybe broccoli. also those same europeans were very close to destroying all these magnificent heathen foods before even trading them.

[@GwynneDear]

Hello from Virginia! Another great video. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite food creators.

[@John-cc9my]

I love French fried potatoes 😅

[@Revonish]

You could have added Huacatay (Tagetes minuta) for flavouring. Powerful peruvian edible herb.

[@Revonish]

Maybe some videos on the spices & herbs of the world. You have done chile, but what about the others? 😁👍

[@theakspud]

About time i got video about me🎉

[@timhannah4]

Roast Potatoes or Chips (British) Cooked in Goose Fat........Gotta be the best tasting use of Potatoes!

[@heidimisfeldt5685]

🥔🥔🥔 The Irish famine certainly teaches us all why NOT to plant monocultures. Such practice can come at a very high price. Famine. 😳🥺😭😭😭