Potatoes and History

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Domesticated in Peru, potatoes came to the Old World with the Columbian Exchange. But Europeans did not take to them easily. From a local staple of the people of the Andes Mountains to one of the most ubiquitous foods in the world, potatoes have a surprising history. The History Guy recalls the forgotten history of the food that transformed Europe.
This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by JCG
#potato #thehistoryguy #foodhistory

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

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[@sparky6086]

There's a terrific book called "Indian Givers", which talks about all the great things the World got from the indigenous people of The New World. Prominent among them is the potato. I think, that it was written in the '80's. It's title wouldn't be PC nowadays, although it was only meant to be clever in it's time, so I don't know, if it's still in print. Edit: I just looked it up, It's a 1988 book written by Jack Weatherford: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Givers:_How_the_Indians_of_the_Americas_Transformed_the_World Apparently, It's still in print: www.amazon.com/Indian-Givers-Indians-Americas-Transformed/dp/0449904962

[@cyberherbalist]

I love potatoes and knew a good deal about its origins, but I definitely learned a great deal more in this video! Thanks, THG!

[@buzzman4860]

i guess i will put my netflix on hold and give magtv a try

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

I have a video request for you could you. Which you cold do in a video about 5 minutes long. The request is could you do a video on the ancient Greek military unit made up of all gay men? The reason I ask is because I know this fascinating true story is not well known about even though it is 100% true. The Military Unit also lasted for a long time until they were finally all killed in battle. It said that the general in charge the army that finally defeated that unit fell to his knees and cried for the death of such valiant men after the battle not sure if that part is true. But I do know the part about the unit being all gay men is.

[@USS_Grey_Ghost]

I would request for this video on patron but for 2 things 1 o do not have a patron account 2 I couldn’t and wouldn’t send money through the internet I just do not trust doing that sorry

[@ResearchNational]

I went to a potato museum in Peru. Mind blown. I had no idea there were so many varieties... 4,000! Hay muchas patatas 🥔 🥔 🥔 !

[@DanceintheRaine666]

Interesting. My biology prof in College informed we students that we saw, in our Western culture VERY FEW of the many varieties of foods AVAILABLE. He used BANANAS as an illustration and told us of the many different varieties which existed in the countries where such fruit was grown. He posed the question, "Which criteria dictates the particular variety which is available in stores: was it (he asked) FLAVOUR? NUTRITION? QUALITY?" NO. The overriding factor was a fruit which could be PICKED GREEN (IMMATURE) and TRANSPORTED to us such that it APPEARED UNEMISHED and "looked nice". He explained how there were "aesthrically UGLY" Bananas with FAR GREATER FLAVOUR than the "insipid and flavourless" cultivar we thought of as "banana*. This was a truth that had never before occurred to me. FORTUNATELY, my boyfriend was incredibly CHEAP and REFUSED to live in an apartment. We rented, therefore, in "really BAD neighbbourhoods* which most Caucasians avoided. I was the only Caucasian woman I saw in my neighborhood....and many of the people did not even yet speak English. This afforded me many wonderful educational experiences in grocery stores. The ladies were SO KIND TO ME. Many a time, I'd be reaching for a fruit or vegetable I did not recognize and a stranger would gently stop me and non verbally communicate HOW TO CHOOSE the best individual fruit. This was pee internet...but these ladies would successfully mine not only how to choose a ripe fruit, but how to prepare them. Had I lived in a more affluent (primarily white) neighbourhood, I would have never introduced myself to the many non Canadian crops....nor the kindness of all these ladies. It was a fantastically positive experience, living in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods. I am so glad he was so cheap and refused to rent an apartment. I met so many cool people I would otherwise not have met. Non verbal co.munications can be surprisingly in-depth and KINNESS is found everywhere.

[@antonioprovenzano5130]

​@@DanceintheRaine666what a load of horseshit lies

[@djpass-mi4bi]

I went through a village in the Bolivian Andes which had a potato festival. And I don't think I ever had a meal in Peru or Bolivia that didn't include potatoes.

[@benjaminarmstrong7047]

When my niece was little she wouldn't eat mashed potatoes and that left more for me. Then one day she tried them, and that started my personal potato famine.

[@timothyhays1817]

Haha. I cause my family's potato shortage.

[@hydrolifetech7911]

Lol

[@colinp2238]

Potatoes roated in a roasting pan with a joint of meat are the best imho, they soak up the meat juices and cook in them to add extra flavour. This is why they are a must have in a British Roast Dinner.

[@pickettywitchoriginal]

That’s funny 😂

[@bethlehemeisenhour8352]

People were making instant potatoes, and my daughter had nothing to do with potatoes, until I made "real" mashed potatoes. She was cured. :)

[@alanwchase7449]

About 40 years ago I met a girl who bewitched me with her Potato Salad.Shes coming down stairs now for lunch!😊

[@conmcgrath7502]

Damn, I make a very fine potato salad...back off romeo!?

[@paulredinger420]

40 years! That is beautiful!!!!

[@KorbinX]

Congratulations on 40 years

[@hshs5756]

Proving once again that the way to man's heart is through his stomach!

[@gabib.1780]

Lovely thing of you to say 40 years later. I bid you respectful congratulations dear Sir!

[@stekra3159]

History of the Bow Tie you know you have to do it at some point.

[@dragonsword7370]

tied to the early fashion amongst aristocracy to wear a scarf tied around the neck. Theres an idea that the origin is tied to a neck wounded aristo who tied a silk scarf around him to stop the bleeding and it stuck afterwards. Think of the Cravat. The bowtie as it is today probably grew up around the invention and fashion of the neck collared shirt. A way to hide the top button and clasp pieces, much like how the tie falls forward to cover the rest of the buttons of a shirt in todays fashion. Notice how the long tie is compared to back in the 30's and 40's when it was hardly more than 7 inches long when tied in place? waistcoat vests were also popular until recently. Sorry for the ramble.

[@jenniferwright5536]

Potato

[@estergrant6713]

absolutely

[@jennifurzoe1302]

@@jenniferwright5536 potatoe

[@crazioma6648]

Indeed. I second this!

[@stevedietrich8936]

"You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey's uh, potato-kabobs, potato creole, potato gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple potato, lemon potato, coconut potato, pepper potato, potato soup, potato stew, potato salad, shrimp and potatoes, potato burger, potato sandwich. That- that's about it." - Apologies to Bubba Blue

[@joshriles84]

Fantastic!

[@karlnemo8658]

@Timefliesbye Damn, and I actually heard that in Gollum's voice as I read it. LOL

[@terryboyer1342]

They call me... Tater Salad. - Ron White

[@bigblue6917]

You've got the makings of a whole new KZbin channel. Or should that be KZbinr channel

[@HarrisonGoldfarb]

don't forget the plain potato!

[@6thsavage]

You’re now my favorite You...TUBER...

[@michaelbray6010]

Tuber... should be the name of a ride-sharing services Ireland.

[@Turnoutburndown]

That's a quality pun right there

[@la_old_salt2241]

I see what you did there, you sly thing you...

[@michaelbray6010]

I always thought Guber would be a good name for a rural ride-sharing service.

[@rochelleesser7961]

😆😆😆

[@manicmechanic448]

My grandpa Wilson used to fry potatoes in a cast iron skillet in bacon grease. That was real comfort food. 🇮🇪

[@dbmail545]

When my family camped out when I was a child, my mother would cube, boil and freeze potatoes that would be "browned" in oil much like modern fast food French fries.

[@pramienjager2103]

I still do this nearly every day. One day I will make a cardiologist either very unhappy or very rich, if I last that long.

[@itsapittie]

Heck, I still do that sometimes although nowadays I usually use olive oil. My taste buds love bacon grease, my arteries...not so much.

[@VarangianGuard13]

That's a great option. Many things are made better with a cast iron pan, to say nothing of bacon grease.

[@peterbeyer5755]

@@pramienjager2103 My Pa is 92 and still eats potatoes fried with bacon and served with sour cream, he turned his nose up a boiled rice!

[@ChipmunkRapidsMadMan1869]

Fast Food: French fries Snack: Potato crisps/chips Fancy dinner: Twice Baked Barbecue: Baked Potato Pot luck: Potato salad Quarantine: Vodka There is a potato for all occasions

[@bethlehemeisenhour8352]

With out the vodka, unless you have vadka on frozen potatoes instead of on the rocks. :)

[@jaysea5939]

@@bethlehemeisenhour8352 I can't tell the tone of your comment, so just in case: You can make vodka from potatoes www.instructables.com/id/Potato-Vodka/

[@bethlehemeisenhour8352]

@@jaysea5939 It's ironic, everybody thinks they have to drink, I am very boared of this.

[@bhatsayali11]

I’m a homeschooling mom of a 10 and 8 year old. Your videos are so valuable to us. Not only entertaining and informative but also inspiring us to learnmore on these topics/people/events Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@guytansbariva2295]

You should repost your comment on the main comment page. He might see it and respond. He's responded to several of my comments and questions before. History Guy is a great guy. 👍❤️

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

@Guytans Bariva @ Guytans Bariv . . . How?, where?

[@DanceintheRaine666]

What a great resource for HomeLearners. When I homelearned my sons, such channels did not exist...but HISTORY itself is so fascinating it was not difficult to engage with my sons & fan the flames of their respective passion for learning AFTER I sturck upon the idea to build a "Time Machine" for them. Constructed of cardboard and papier mache, this was a two seater vehicle with functional doors, steering wheel and a date dial which could be spun to randomly land on any decade throughout prehistory and history. They would spin the dial and we would pretend they transported back in time and then I read to them about whatsoever period of history (and which culture or country and aspect of history [such as the History of wars and battles throughout history] became ALIVE to them as I asked them to ENVISION what I described in their mind's eye. The initial "Time Machine" trip more often than not excited them to request further readings on each subject. I love how homelearning INSPIRES kids, teaches them how to RESEARCH whatsoever topic they wish to explore, and HOW TO THINK critically and independent of biases. Your investment of time and energy help your kids to become FAR DIFFERENT ADULTS than their age peers who were educated in traditional schools. It's a fantastic education which FOSTERS THE LOVE OF LEARNING. KUDOS to you for embarking on that journey....I am so glad....in retrospect...that I found it necessary to yoink my eldest out of GRADE ONE, as I observed....in his behaviour...the DESTRUCTION of his inherent curiosity and enthusiasm towards LEARNING and READING.. The teaching staff was bent on CRUSHING this vital passion OUT OF HIS little brain. I would not/could not allow that to continue.

[@johncashwell1024]

The potato was the single greatest reason that Ireland's population (Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland) went from about 3 million in 1700 to over 8 million in 1841. Then came the Potato Blight, causing the (not so)Great Potato Famine and the resultant Irish Diaspora which meant that by 1931 the population had plummeted to just over 4 million. Ireland has still not managed to recover; the 2016 population of all of Ireland was just6.6 million.

[@joeyjamison5772]

I'm a couch potato and I can relate to this video!

[@petematthews9346]

Loved how you mentioned the effect of the shift from grain to potatoes on evening out food supplies. I remember reading once when armies lived off the land, once an army had gleaned what it could, it would burn the rest to deny foodstuffs to the enemy should they move through the same area. This, of course, was devastating to the local population. Once potato crops were planted, though, burning off the fields left the underground tubers untouched and the locals still had a food supply. So while still devastating, famine was lessened after the potato was cultivated.

[@ingold1470]

This also explains why it caught on in Prussia first, since that region was hit hardest during the 30 Years' War.

[@bkm83442]

I grew up in Shelley, Idaho. My high school mascot was the Russet potato. Some of the cheerleaders wore uniforms sown from potato sacks. Every year the town holds an annual "Spud Day" festival. Students get two weeks off from school in late September to work in the potato harvest.

[@Nastyswimmer]

The "potatoes fried in the French manner" served during Jefferson's presidency weren't what are now known in the US as French fries (and in Britain as chips) - contemporary descriptions and recipe books clearly say that they were thin, shallow-fried SLICES of potato. This also ties in with the story of how US chips were invented when a diner at a Saratoga restaurant repeatedly sent his fries back, complaining that they were too thick. That only makes sense if the fries were slices of potato rather than batons. The first record of deep fried potato batons (of the kind now known as French fries in the US) is as an accompaniment to fried fish sold by street traders in London and the story goes that the British army took their love of "fried chipped potatoes" to Flanders in WW1 where the Belgians learned to make them and served them up to off-duty soldiers. When the American army took over the western end of the front in 1917 the Belgians continued to serve them to the soldiers who, not realising they were in Belgium rather than France, assumed that these were "French fried potatoes". That's a bit of history that has been mis-remembered.

[@christopherjensen794]

I don't know about that, but I can tell you the best fries I ever had were in Brussels, Belgium, where they were everywhere! I couldn't get enough! They make them fresh, right in front of you, out of real potatoes! Belgians will tell you French Fries are REALLY Belgian fries, and I'm a believer!

[@lizj5740]

@@christopherjensen794 I agree. I still remember the fries in Bruge and elsewhere in Belgium in 1981.

[@007rooks]

How dare you contradict the History Guy and disrespect a founding father of our republic! Lol! Either way they're still tasty.

[@TheOldGord]

Christopher Jensen They are right. They were first prepared like this in Belgium. The french tried them and started to prepare them this way as well.

[@joshgeiger9090]

It's a fair point, but I thought still worth mentioning as a part of Jefferson hoping to popularize the potato. The Saratoga Spring episode of inventing the chip, incidentally, is probably completely false.

[@jamesferris4573]

My father was a poor peanut farmer in Oklahoma. We raised all of our own food, including potatoes. I wish I had a dollar for every potatoe I dug. My mother, and aunts could all cooked very well, and I especially remember new potatoes, and fresh green beans with bacon grease. My favorite was a dish my aunt made with new potatoes. She made a sauce, and poured over the small potatoes. This was so good it would make a Jack rabbit whip a bull dog.

[@DanceintheRaine666]

I was raised on a small (7.35 acre) "Hobby Farm". My mother had a 2 acre garden, fruit trees, ornamental gardens and we had 500 laying chickens, two dairy cows, beef steers, piggies, horses, a sheep, a goat, and numerous other fowl and creatures, including orphaned wild animals which survived our one particular cat who was a prodigious hunter. He would kill the adult and periodically deliver to us UNHARMED baby critters. My mom produced, canned and preserved almost every calorie we ate, and supported we three kids financially by the money she made selling milk & eggs. I had a father, but he did no work on the farm & spent the monies he earned on himself. We were "dirt poor" but our lives were indescribky rich with experiences and happiness. It was an incredibly cool way to grow up.

[@capoman1]

​@@DanceintheRaine666God bless. Thanks for sharing. You were rich with experience.

[@carolynlarke1340]

I met a grad student whose thesis was that the potato caused populations to rise so quickly in Europe that it paved the way for the First World War. It was something I never thought about in that context. My family fled Ireland in the 1850s when there was little left for the survivors of The Starving Times. Thanks for this.

[@geoben1810]

The kind of history that just isn't taught in school that truly does deserve to be remembered. Brought to you exclusively by the one and only HISTORY GUY! 👍🏻😉

[@dewiz9596]

Not to mention the role of potatoes in the story “The Martian”. When someone asked what the book was about, I replied “a story about a potato farmer”. The person offering the book to her sister had a good chuckle. . .

[@TankratRustDust]

I've destroyed two copies from over reading

[@luppa79]

Reminds me of when my friend asked me what is the movie Interstellar about. I told him it was a story about a farmer and his daughter, and a church organ is constantly playing in the background. I'm unsure if he ever watched the movie.

[@alex0589]

Ahah space pirate farming in his own sht doesnt sell as well, i guess

[@alex0589]

luppa79 “it’s about the neighbour of the guy who had the last field of okra, ever”

[@iowafarmboy]

Hope you do one for corn (maize). Especially since it looks absolutely nothing like what it did before the Native Americans started selective breeding it. Really interesting history 🙂

[@BHuang92]

It's amazing how much humans cultivated and domesticated a small grain plant into what is basically a giant of a grain.

[@PInk77W1]

BHuang92 fresh • vegetable Dried • grain

[@VidelaArg]

In Peru there are around 3000 varieties of potato

[@patthecat6491]

I remember, back in the 70's I believe, National Geographic magazine had a whole issue devoted to potatoes. Have been a fan since.

[@KittyStarlight]

All different kinds of history are available to watch on this guy's channel. Cats, chickens, potatoes, all kinds of history. ^___^ Thank you. ^___^

[@hatuletoh]

One of my favorite sights in Peru were the enormous piles of potatoes in the outdoor weekend markets, which are as ubiquitous in the country as the potatoes themselves. The piles are stacked as tall as a person in piles with a circumference on the ground of around 10', and maybe half the varieties are different shades of purple, a few of them are quite beautiful. Being an American, after a month down there I started missing bread very badly, but the potatoes were none the less always tasty.

[@DanceintheRaine666]

It's cool that you can now grow far more varieties of potatoes than are prevalent in large chain stores. Decades ago an acquaintance gave me seed potatoes from a Ukrainian fingerling potatoe he had lllegally smuggled into Canada. A friend's dad smuggled a LIVE LION FISH from HAWAII as he loved tropical fish and had a massive salt water tank. This...crime...almost resulted in his DEATH as one day, when cleaing his tank, he was stung by the Lionfish. Given that they are illegal in Canada, there was no anti-venom un the country. His life was saved as the Doctors ordered the specific anti-vemom stockpiled in Hawaaii...and it was flown in in time to save him. Thereafter, the authorities confiscated his fish & donated it to the Vancouver aquarium, where it could be enjoyed by the public. My friends dad was a fascinating dude whose life and experiences lead to his sharing wonderful true stores of his experiences. He also had PIRANNAH which were likewise fascinating to see as a small child SO CLOSE UP.

[@NVRAMboi]

Should I subscribe to Magellan TV it will be solely due to your sincere and detailed endorsement(s). Thank you for your outstanding programming.

[@be6715]

At 8:25, the picture of the flower is Rosa rugosa, not a potato flower. Roses are in the family Rosaceae (along with apples), not in the Solanaceae family. Thank you for featuring the potato! My potatoes get dug up in about a month. Maybe one day you'll cover garlic - now there is a family to cover! Love your channel!

[@Curleysound]

The mention of 2 million Irish leaving the country had me thinking that it would be cool to see a piece about the phrase NINA, or "No Irish Need Apply" which was prevalent in the US at least for decades.

[@DWilliam1]

Thomas Curley while NINA signs and advertisements seem to have been prevalent in London, even inspiring an 1862 song of the same name , the historical record in the US has been debated for at least 20 years with some claiming it is a myth and never happened and those who claim it did being able to find roughly 28 want ads over 30 years with 20 happening in the 1840’s. Some of these NINA ads have been argued that they were less about Anti-Irish sentiment and more having to do with politics, as most of the Irish in NYC were Democrats and aligned with Tammany Hall. Many jobs were patronage jobs back then based on who won the election. Anyway, I agree that it would be great if the history guy could examine this and set the record straight once and for all.

[@timothyhays1817]

When I was a little kid the only one way my parents could get me to come in for dinner. They sent my oldest brother out to get me. He just yell "Timmy Potatos". I would come running. My parents loved telling others that story for years.

[@sunnyjim1355]

I'd have yelled back "WTF are 'potatos'"?

[@joebollig2689]

No relation to General Alexander Hays?

[@daryld4457]

I'm not sure why your parents would retell that story, or why you would then repeat it on here. If I may be blunt, it's an awful anecdote. Keep any further childhood nostalgia to yourself, unless you want to share the story about when you were beaten to a pulp for being the most boring child in school.

[@martinsirois3770]

I remember reading something about how doctors found that wheat was responsible for coeliac disease. During World War II, an hospital in the Netherland (I think) had a shortage of bread and wheat, so they used potatoes as the main staple. As some patients-those with coeliac disease-got better with the new diet, they found a clue about the source of the illness.

[@DanceintheRaine666]

My mom told me of how, after our minister and his wife moved to Africa they related a true story to her via a letter. They wrote of how the native peoples removed the POTATOE PEELS out of the garbage (as they were lothe to WASTE FOOD). The Candians who ate the peeled potatoes were later found to be UNHEALTHIER than the locals who ate the peels, this because of the superior levels of fibre and nutrition IN THE PEELS. As a little kid, I'd always enjoyed both the peels and the fluffy interior of the homegrown taters....and thereafter enjoyed the peels ever more.

[@jockellis]

My paternal grandparents bought a farm about 1910 from a man who realized his guano spreader factory, which was eight miles of dirt roads from town. He moved the factory across the street from the railroad station and his family to town also. But in those days patent protection offered little relief and he later went out of business and committed suicide. The original wooden factory building stood vacant until recently when it was torn down.

[@timothycook2917]

As a truck driver, I haul the beer that is used in French fries that gives them that golden yellow look and beer-battered taste. That's my only contribution to the history of potatoes 🤣😁

[@dunneincrewgear]

Timothy Cook A small but noble contribution! Well done, sir!

[@dunneincrewgear]

As an Irishman, this brought a tear to my eye...

[@russellgray1426]

Dunne in crew gear - As a human being, it did me too😢

[@dunneincrewgear]

Russell Gray According to the 1841 census Ireland had a population over 8 million. The famine years were 1845-50. Today the Irish population stands at about 6.5 million. 170 years later and we are still feeling the effects.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

"Oh the praties they grow small.... "

[@conmcgrath7502]

'you know what brought a tear to MY eye? Just losing the entire text of a very long reply!! Thankfully for all who read (God bless you!), I will try to keep this one short ('ish'). By the 1800's the Irish farmers were reduced to a subsistence level (this is not a political diatribe) and anybody who had 'split' a farm/holding between their sons could not divide it further, it was not possible to live off any less land; that was given the great soil and conditions of good years and hard work. The potato made it possible to exist on ever decreasing holdings but it was a one-way-street when 'the blight' struck, I'm pausing now for the 'knock you on your ass' total horror of seeing the crop that should keep you and your family going for the next year, just dying before your eyes... It didn't just happen once, or twice and it is absolutely true to say that thousands of tons of grain were exported from Ireland as the impoverished natives starved, fact. It is fair to say that some Estate owners 'made work' in order to help the impoverished persons who could work usefully; there are splendid walls around many estates that were built by desperate men. There were good people who tried to help, there were 'work-houses' where families were separated, all were subjected to strict religious control and the dead bodies were carried to a (mass) grave in a coffin with an open bottom (body got laid down, coffin was re-used). I had cause to work near Bandon, Co Cork (Ireland!) and I saw the old soup-cauldron lying on it's side, it was an original 'artifact', it was used to make nourishing soup to feed the starving natives by well-meaning people, well-meaning people who were not of the Catholic faith......so if you wanted the soup, repent and rejoice in the the New faith (the irony of the Irish Catholic Missionary's in not lost on me)., to this day, more than 170 years later, you will hear a family described as 'they took the soup'? Am I bitter? No I'm not and I often wonder, if thousands of tons of grain were exported while we starved, who exported them, how did they get from field to barn, barn to cart, cart to ultimately ship? Pretty sure that Irishmen had a hand in that too. Absolutely, you can blame the perfidious English for a great many crimes, we wouldn't be unique in that regard, but I am mindful of the posting of 'a wag' just before the Queen visited (2002?), he reckoned we should hand back the 'keys to the country' and apologize for making such a hames of it! I will add this, it is 'built into me' to not waste food, ever (I'm 50/50 on feeding my spoiled cats but they are 100% sure that they need all the food, even if they don't eat it right now?), seriously, ANY food you have, you eat , waste is not tolerated and I can only surmise that it comes from famine times, my grandmother was born in 1900 (lived to be one hundred, God Bless) so she would have known people who lived through the famine and the echoes of that time still resound, rightly so.

[@Shaun.Stephens]

@@conmcgrath7502 That's a very even-handed account Con. Well done. Nobody's perfect, then or now.

[@edschermer]

My mom tells a story that when I was young, she was on diet for a time, and when she was cooking dinner, I would ask if it was something I like or not. She soon figured out that if she was cooking with potatoes, I liked it. Yup, still to this day, a meal with potatoes is best!

[@rnader9749]

I was told yesterday that in some places they’re being asked to eat potatoes twice a week because of a feared food shortage due to COVID 19. I thought , wow I’d have to cut back by a factor of 10.

[@bigblue6917]

What. Only twice a week. I'll have reached that limit by Tuesday.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

I'm in the U.S. and same for me. My grocery store shelves look like old Soviet Europe. Is this winning? Is this being America Great. Fkn bullshit for a supposedly first world nation. Rice and beans, potatoes with canned vegs... I paid taxes all my live abd at 64 I didn't sign up for this If you're watching this, there's a 99.999% chance you are A Poor like me and along with me ... we are all fkd. And if you're younger than me you are fkd for a very long time

[@randyphillips2263]

YOu think you have it rough. I live in Idaho. ;=)

[@BHuang92]

@@tommypetraglia4688 And we the younger folks are paying for our own stupidity and ignorance as well as the old shits that we failed and those that failed on us.

[@MichaelSHartman]

Prepper food. Shelves here were completely empty. Later there was a small bin at $2.00 per POUND, eight times the normal price of the least expensive, and four times the most expensive. I grew up relying on homegrown potatoes, but with better times potatoes were just cheaper to buy. I'm growing them now. I've not made it, but one can make bread with potatoes to get through the flour free days.

[@svtirefire]

My potatoes are just starting to sprout out of the soil in my garden. I harvested about 500lbs last year, so yeah, we eat a lot of potatoes!

[@80krauser]

I've got to harvest mine this weekend. Magnificent looking crop this year

[@dragonsword7370]

Potato Bread is the Absolute best!

[@WildWestGal]

@@dragonsword7370 As far as I'm concerned, it's the ONLY bread! I was raised in the US by the Norwegian side of my family, and grandma would always have me walk the two blocks to the bakers to get a loaf of the fresh potato bread (50 cents for a fresh loaf, 1950s). Then there was my Irish grandpa, so I have the "potato gene" from both sides, and I've never met a potato I didn't like, no matter how it's prepared! The Norwegians also eat "lefse", which is made with potatoes, cream, and just enough flour to bind it so that it can be rolled out thin and cooked on a dry griddle. Grandma started teaching me how to make them when I was about 10 y/o, ("feel the dough now, does that feel right?" a little more flour, "feel it now...", until I learned the proper texture 'feel"). I'm the only one still alive in my family that knows how to make them... a lot of begging phone calls start coming in near the holidays. ;-)

[@hshs5756]

I LOVE growing potatoes! I've tried Russets, reds, and Yukon golds. The first two faded out, but the Yukons are now so well established that I couldn't get rid of them if I tried. Commercial non-organic potatoes are now sprayed with glyphosate to kill the plant's top before harvest which makes growing your own better. New growers need to know that many store potatoes are sprayed with "bud-nip", a chemical that prevents them from sprouting eyes while in storage, but also stops them from growing if you plant them. So you need to start your garden from seed potatoes or store spuds that are showing buds indicating they have NOT been sprayed with bud-nip. Biggest potato I ever saw grew from a piece of peeling thrown on my compost pile. Potatoes are the most amazing edible weeds in the world!

[@svtirefire]

@@WildWestGal you going to share your recipe or what? Make a video!

[@kevinturner9401]

I would like to see a video about plants which were introduced to Europe with similar enthusiasm but failed to take hold like the potato did.

[@janicemaceachern1004]

I live in the Andes Mountains of Ecuador. When the markets were open, different types of potatoes easily took up a quarter of the huge building! It's quite fascinating to see all the different varieties. There is one type of purple camote (sweet potato) that I swear the center is grown around a good chunk of maple syrup crystals! Mmmm...makes me hungry just thinking of them. Then there are the small one or two bite sized potatoes that remind me of a small yellow flesh Yukon Gold. They are grown in mountain river sand and are very clean when picked so they are easy to clean. They are great boiled and used in salads, or fried up to make a potato hash, or just mash them up and put some butter on them. I love them but can eat only a very tiny bit because they are high in carbohydrates and my body loves carbs just a little too much. Great video!

[@Gastogh]

One last thing you didn't mention, or at least stress enough: in addition to all their other benefits, potatoes can thrive in conditions other crops would barely survive in. Shouldn't come as a surprise, the Andes not exactly being known as prime agricultural real estate, but in northern Europe especially a tuber suited to cold climates was a heavensend, able to subsist in rocky, sandy soil and survive random frosts and thaws that could kill off the best part of any above-ground crop.

[@jamesluke7377]

My Greatgrandparents (prior to immigrating to the U.S. and settling in NE KS) grew potatoes in Northern Ireland where the farm is still to this day in the family.

[@joebollig2689]

Hi brother Jayhawker . . . With apologies to Wildcats.

[@jamesluke7377]

@@joebollig2689 I'm a KU fan. 😁

[@Moadeeb_]

History Guy is a simple Tuber that deserves to be remembered. Great video ! 👍😎

[@janerkenbrack3373]

I just planted my potato crop in the garden Wednesday!

[@Lndmk227]

I've always loved potatoes. Now that I know their story, I love them all the more. :)

[@Dejoblue]

Would be cool to see your take on tomato as well. So interesting that two of the most ubiquitous food plants are nightshades from the new world.

[@skinfan2806]

Very interesting

[@DanceintheRaine666]

I think he did a tomato video!

[@daRiddler32]

🎶"......might as well face it, you're addicted to spuds"🎶

[@junepaul7843]

might as well face it your addicted to spuds😅

[@daRiddler32]

@@junepaul7843 NOOOOO!!! I MESSED UP A WEIRD AL LYRIC! OH WOAH IS ME! I CAN'T LIVE WITH THE SHAME ANYMORE! *throws self off a cliff in shame* PS thanks for the correction

[@rochelleesser7961]

😆😆😆

[@markallen3293]

Jack Weatherford of Macalester College, MN. wrote a great book called "Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World. In the book he talks of the potato (potatoe) in great detail. A must read for those who loves the Native Americans and the contribution my ancestors have given the world.

[@f3xpmartian]

Lunch today, hum, baked potato, smothered with churned whipped butter. Sour cream, chives, sharp cheddar cheese. Two pinches of mozzarella. Covered of course with glorious amounts of real bacon pieces. Thank you, Mr. The History Guy for suggesting my lunch plans…

[@BHuang92]

My mom grew up eating potatoes (sweet potatoes) because that was one of the few things to eat when the Communists took over in China. She had them boiled or mashed it up with rice. She still eats sweet potatoes on some occasions, even though she moved to America to start a family.

[@TheTomBevis]

I thought that sweet potatoes were a variety of yam. Another great and easy to grow tuber, but not related to potatoes. They originated in Africa, to my understanding.

[@nataliajimenez1870]

@@TheTomBevis Sweet potatoes were domesticated in Central/ South America just like the potatoes, but they belong to a completely different plant family. The indigenous people of the Caribbean called them "batata", so when the Spanish encountered potatoes in South America (called "papas" by the Incas), they called them "patata", and that's the origin of the word "potato"

[@amyreich2524]

Love the History Guy's enthusiasm! He makes history fun & interesting!

[@HayesRonan]

The Famine in Ireland wiped out communities. Across the road from my parents house there is what we call a Famine (or mass) grave from the period. 800 or so people are buried in that grave. As a kid we'd find bones coming through the soil, ribs, arms, the odd leg. The original grave marker of red sandstone lies shattered in a nearby farmers back yard. We have not forgotten.

[@GPhilipArnold]

I worked and traveled in Nepal for 5 years in the 1960's. Oral history, at least, was that it was the potato's introduction into the high Himalayas that allowed the population to expand into those high elevations. The Sherpas were descendants of Tibetans who were able to feed themselves and live in the mountains. When I visited Sherpa villages I found they ate mostly potatoes and I observed that the primary crop was potatoes. I haven't come across scientific research on this issue, but the stories fit with personal observation.

[@kevinaustin5342]

"Guano Boom" & "Guano Rush" remind me of preparing my most recent surgery

[@lizj5740]

Colonoscopy?

[@mikebronicki6978]

Ok, I laughed. The "clean out" is the hardest part of a colonoscopy.

[@qedsteve]

I can relate. To your humor and the procedure.

[@LEXICOGRAFFER]

Suggestion: a companion story on the History of Corn

[@marleegould542]

I grew up in idaho, and my family is of irish descent. We ate soooooo many potatoes. 🤣 Mashed taters, scalloped taters, baked taters. So many ways you can cook them, and they all came from my grandmothers garden.

[@rochelleesser7961]

I’m kinda surprised that you made no mention of Idaho; I just relocated here last October from SoCal and was humored yet not surprised that there’s a potato museum here, among many other things, such as the annual Potato Festival 😁

[@kevind814]

Surely no historical account could omit the creation of Mr. Potato Head! ;-)

[@caturdaynite7217]

It ain't a party without potato head!

[@billd.iniowa2263]

Dressed as a pirate? lol

[@cromagnonman7887]

Bill D. in Iowa Because all good stories have pirates!

[@conmcgrath7502]

Hey, leave me out of this? I do not grant you copywrite, Mr Potato Head has gone feral, I like to be referred to as mad badgers arse now! Preceded by, your highness, capiche?

[@malahammer]

The population of Ireland still hasn't recovered 160 years later. And probably never will.

[@tygrkhat4087]

For the longest time, Ireland's chief export was its people.

[@conmcgrath7502]

Not so sure about the population as a statistic, but I would say there is more than enough of us here already? Sooner or later, it will occur to people that you can't eat money.....you can't eat gold either (technically, you can but it won't do you much good). The only true wealth comes from the nature that sustains us. Clean water and a few acres of arable land is/are what you need to survive on, have that first , by all means interact with the world at large, make use of technology but don't forget that everything we need comes from nature so it'sa a very bad ides to poison anf fuck with it?

[@DWilliam1]

The population of Irish in NYC is booming.

[@charliesimpson2974]

In 2005, the number of Irish in the US was more than twice that of Ireland, probably still is, if not greater.

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Tis true we took many a lump....but twas all in good fun.

[@100forks]

I don't care what subject it is, the history guy and gal make it so interesting.

[@pikeman80]

My dad told me the Parmentier story when I was a kid. The people only considered the flowers valuable until the guards were stationed by the fields. The flowers are definitely stunningly beautiful.

[@robinwells8879]

The humble potato..not. In my early teens I worked a summer holiday on a potato harvester the same as you showed near the end. That was hard back breaking work but I felt as rich as Cresus at the end of the week when my brown envelope was handed to me. Didn't put me off eating them with dinner each night either.

[@sunnyjim1355]

It's spelt POTATOE, you idiot! I know because Dan Quayle taught me how to spell, and he's a politician of the great U.S.A. And boy, those U.S.A. politicians are smart, really smart. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZXUk5xsa9SBq6s

[@jonathanscott7372]

I spent a day picking them as a child in the UK, but the pay was so bad, I never went back.

[@ajaypalsidhu3029]

You do good research, sir. Your videos are always informative. Thanks for keeping it up!

[@spiffyspits3605]

Thank you for this history of potato!!!

[@conmcgrath7502]

Big shout-out to the Chokdaw Indians, your gesture of friendship will never be forgotten.

[@ddavidmac6009]

I remember my father talking about the potato beer as a kid when he was with a few of his buddies that made it through WW2 intact, Excellent to see vids about this among other things that out of the needs for comfort beer won out over Vodka,

[@bigblue6917]

Vodka and potato bread.

[@richardklug822]

In the movie "The Great Escape", actors Steve McQueen and James Garner play Allied POW's and are shown making moonshine out of scrap potato peels.

[@VunterSlaush1650]

Moonshine in Ireland called poitín is made from potatoes skins, can be up to 90% alcohol!

[@JazznRealHipHop]

I'm surprised alcohol wasn't mentioned in this program, but that's a WHOLE nother chapter

[@johnbockelie3899]

When I was a kid we had potato pancakes . it was.my.first time eating them. I was disappointed they were not like real pancakes..

[@jokuvaan5175]

I'd like to see the forgotten history of glass

[@sunnyjim1355]

🧐

[@MoonbeameSmith]

Don't be silly, no one makes potatoes out of glass...

[@seabeevet7999]

its December 23rd. I got the day off and Im watching the History Guy talk about potatoes. Life is good.

[@renots365]

Its 3 am and instead of sleeping I'm up watching a documentary about potatoes. . . Thank you history guy.

[@richvanek1363]

Spuds, my FAVORITE food group.

[@bigblue6917]

I found it interesting that nutritionists say that potatoes are not part of your five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. I think it's to stop us going around to the fish and chip shop and ordering five bags of chips.

[@bumblebeebob]

Watching "Potatoes and History" on my lunch break. Eating a bbq brisket sandwich and .... wait for it!.... potato salad! Lol

[@shanelyon414]

Wow! Thank you, this made me realize something I have taken for granted. Keep up the great work!

[@community1854]

Megalken TV magnificent 3 on NY, London, and Amsterdam!

[@AvitalShtap]

This is my first video I am seeing from the History Guy and I thought it was so comprehensive and digestible, while being so informative and fun!!!! Very enjoyable and thanks for going so in depth :)

[@nicklasnordqvist8697]

One of the best show on KZbin and thank you for your hard work!

[@jamesturner2126]

This is one of your top videos. Cats, dogs, Chickens, all the WWII stuff, the transistor, and then the potato video. I think it's my 5th time watching.

[@johnortmann3098]

Awesome collection of artwork you found to illustrate this. Who knew there were so many potato paintings?

[@mvaldman2001]

Great episode! Thank you! You should consider a trip to Peru when this Pandemic ends; besides thousands of years of pre- and post-colonial culture, Peru has many other agricultural firsts. You could try all 150+ different potato types while exploring Machu Pichu and the Urubamba (aka Sacred) Valley, the Amazon Rain Forest and Arequipa... its definitely worth a visit!

[@rickeydonald4756]

I loved my “Mr. Potato Head”.

[@Thor-rq4lk]

Well done, History Guy! You definitely aren’t small potatoes...thank you, I’ll be here all week.

[@donweatherwax9318]

Oh, man... _THIS GUY STINKS!_

[@Rocdog]

I would love to see a History of Strategic Air Command. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@brentgranger7856]

Maybe you can do a history of the noodle and its impact on modern cuisine as well.

[@stevl4307]

Legend has it the first potatoes in Ireland 🥔 came from wrecked boat's from the Spanish armada as they were trying to get home around Ireland in 1588

[@VidelaArg]

From Peru-Spain

[@jasonkilgore1977]

Wow I never knew all that! I love potatoes and couldn’t imagine life without them!

[@mjc11a]

Fascinating episode! Thanks very much for posting and be safe 🙏

[@nik07nik]

The history of Yeast would be good considering the shortage.

[@sunnyjim1355]

As long as women wear tights in summer, there will be no shortage of yeast.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Yeast is literally everywhere. It's already in flour. It adheres to the skins of grapes. It floats in the air. If you want to leaven your bread, just leave the dough sitting out in open air for a day.

[@gregorymalchuk272]

Also the history of beans, peas, and lentils.

[@AmWestColl]

very good video.....I love potatoes !!!

[@joeb7373]

Thumbs up from Idaho!

[@ribbitgoesthedoglastnamehe4681]

Same story is told in my country. A new garrison commander arrived, and planted potatoes in his yard, telling no one to touch them, and in short time everybody had them. I believe the story has less to do with telling that the local people were thieving sort, and more likely a story that inspired confidence in the officers and worked as a story to lighten the mood when the soldiers were cold, tired, and had nothing but boiled potatoes.

[@Tiger351]

"People are smoking them, building houses out of them, next thing we'll be eating them." ~ Edmund Blackadder.

[@tygrkhat4087]

Look at it Baldrick, what is it? I'm surprised you've forgotten my lord. It was a rhetorical question Baldrick Nah, it's a potato.

[@conmcgrath7502]

What? Next you'll be explaining irony...

[@WildWestGal]

My all-time favorite comedy!

[@Solidboat123]

PO-TAY-TOES. Boil ‘em, mash ‘em, stick ‘em in a stew

[@alex0589]

Warms my heart

[@cute_canadian_redhead6747]

I was looking for this comment!

[@MichaelRainey]

This comment is precious.

[@gollumtheartisticnewt1028]

I knew it was here somewhere

[@GustavEindrich]

I love potatoes. LOVE 'em. Thanks for the history! I appreciate them so much more!

[@Music-lx1tf]

Thank you HG. Another fun dip into history.

[@draymanil]

I sure love this channel. You do a phenomenal job.

[@lockjohnston41]

The British having scooped the edible potatoes, the Irish peasants were encouraged to emigrate, giving Canada a considerable population just as it was ready for growth. This is also true of the United States and Australia. I was raised to think I was British. When I went to Britain I just couldn't connect with the British mind but when I went to Ireland I discovered I was Irish. It felt much more welcoming than England. My family came here from Ireland about five generations ago, so we say "puhtatoes" I realized when you gave us "The Tragic Life of Rudyard Kipling" that your voice is used with feeling and my attention always focuses on your face and the story you're telling. Lock

[@johnbaird4912]

Lock Johnston Probably because you only went to London

[@Onering80]

What a fascinating story brought to us by a simple You-Tuber.

[@electronicsworkshawp]

Gary Kildall is history that deserves to be remembered.

[@johnmonk66]

In Jamacia, they call all potatoes "Irish potatoes". I will go tell them they are wrong, lol.

[@johnclayden1670]

In Portugal they are 'English potatoes'.

[@PInk77W1]

In India they call bottled water “Mineral water”

[@Nocturnal_Rites]

In the South, there's Irish potatoes (pronounced 'arrsh taters') versus sweet 'taters.

[@heyseed1673]

I'm just laughing, bc this came up as I was chopping potatoes to fry.

[@jokuvaan5175]

I saw the video while making mashed potatoes :D

[@derekblake8516]

@@jokuvaan5175 Friday night, it's ... and chips

[@jamiesut5866]

I’d love to hear a specific episode on the Irish potato famine, particularly in relation to the English involvement and the later uprising.

[@TomBuskey]

I love the history of food origins. More please!

[@TheogRahoomie]

Just planted potatoes in my garden a couple days ago! I plant them every year.

[@censoredone1374]

I'm going to start my day off by frying some!

[@chocolatetye797]

Being a great potato lover, this hurts my heart...