30 May, 2025
10 Little-Known Or Surprising Facts About Potatoes
Potatoes Were First Domesticated Over 7,000 Years Ago: Potatoes originated in Andes Mountains of modern-day Peru and northwest Bolivia. Indigenous peoples began cultivating them around 8000–5000 BC
Source: Google
Over 4,000 Varieties of Potatoes: Globally, more than 4,000 edible varieties of potatoes exist, mostly in South America. They come in many colours, including purple, red, yellow, and even blue
Source: Google
Potatoes Were the First Vegetable Grown in Space: NASA and University of Wisconsin partnered in 1995 to grow potatoes in space aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia
Source: Google
Potatoes Can Absorb and Reflect Wi-Fi Signals: Boeing once used sacks of potatoes to test in-flight wireless signals, since the water content in potatoes interacts with radio-wave signals similarly to human body
Source: Google
Potato Is 80% Water: Although a starchy food, raw potatoes are made up of about 80% water, making them surprisingly hydrating when eaten fresh
Source: Google
Poisonous Relative of the Deadly Nightshade: Potatoes belong to Solanaceae family, which includes deadly nightshade. Green parts of a potato contain solanine, a toxic compound
Source: Google
Potatoes Can Generate Electricity: When used with metal electrodes, a potato can generate a small electrical current—enough to power a small clock or light for a short time
Source: Google
The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1852) was caused by a fungal disease that destroyed potato crops, leading to over a million deaths and massive emigration
Source: Google
The heaviest potato ever recorded, according to Guinness World Records, weighed 10.2 pounds (4.67 kg)—about the size of a small dog!
Source: Google
Potatoes are rich in vitamins (especially B6 and C), potassium, and fiber. When not fried or slathered in butter, they're actually quite healthy
Source: Google
International Potato Day | 7 Must-Try Dishes from Around the World