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Spud 101: Ten quick facts about the humble potato
Being a nation that depends on rice as its staple food, the humble potato is usually set aside as a side dish or used as filling. There are also misconceptions about the nutritional advantages of this tuberous crop that hinder most Pinoys from buying or eating more potatoes.
Below are 10 quick facts that will make you appreciate Solanum tuberosum even more.
1. There are many kinds of potatoes. Similar to rice, there is also a wide variety of potatoes (almost 4,000 cultivars) that are classified into seven main types: Russet, Red, White, Yellow, Purple/Blue, Fingerling, and Petite.
2. Potatoes have many names and nicknames. These crops are also called spuds, taters, ground apples, and mashers. And because they're available and cheap worldwide, "potatoes' can be translated into many languages, including "patatas" (Filipino) and "papas" (Spanish). To highlight its importance, the United Nations even declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato.
3. They're fine fresh, frozen, or dehydrated. Aside from the fresh or table-stock that we buy in the market, potatoes can also come in frozen (hash brown, french fries), chipping (chips that are ready for frying/cooking), dehydrated/instant, and seed (for planting) forms.
4. Potatoes are a very important crop. Potatoes are the fourth largest food crop globally after maize/corn, wheat, and rice. Interestingly, despite rice being its main staple, China tops the world in potato production, nearly five times (95.98 metric tons) the production of the United States (number 5 with 19.8 MT).
5. Yes, potatoes can be good for your health. One medium-sized (5.3-oz.) potato contains only 110 calories, is fat and cholesterol-free, and does not contain gluten. Potatoes therefore are good alternatives for persons with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder primary caused by the body’s reaction to gluten.
6. Potatoes are a good source for complex carbohydrates. Despite containing 25 grams of carbs per serving, a portion (148g) of baked/boiled potatoes contains only a gram of sugar, making this tuber a wonderful source of slow-releasing complex carbohydrates, essential for everyday activities.
7. Potatoes are a good source of potassium. With 620 milligrams (mg) of potassium per serving compared to a banana's 422 mg, potatoes before or after a workout are a better choice to aid muscle hydration and recovery. Potatoes are also surprisingly good sources of Vitamin C, with 27mg/serving.
8. Cooking potatoes with their skin on is better. According to nutritionist Jeaneth Aro, president of fitness and nutrition consultancy services provider Nutrifit, cooking potatoes with their skin on is better than peeling them off, as the nutrients will not leak out during cooking.
Plus, according to renowned chef Sau del Rosario, the skin gives more flavor, color, and texture to any dish.
9. You can even have potato tacos with potato fillings. So versatile are potatoes that Chef Sau, in an event organized by Potatoes USA, showed that you can have potato soft tacos with a potato-infused tomato puree filling.
10. There are many ways you can enjoy potatoes. While most Filipinos would choose French fries as their favorite potato dish, other popular recipes around the globe feature the tuber cooked, baked, mashed, pureed. Here are a few options to start you off:
Korean Style Ribs with Potato-Kimchi Salad
— BM, GMA News
For more information, details, and recipes featuring potatoes, go to Potatoes USA’s website or Facebook page.
