The Peoples Potato!

        'Q: What do you call a baby potato? A: A small fry!' 

All in all my favourite way to enjoy the potato is through the chip, I'm sure some of you will agree. Even though the chip is definitely not the healthiest way to enjoy the potato in my opinion is the most delicious. The process of making chips is surprisingly long and if youd like to read about it visit this website http://yhoo.it/RM6ldT.


Chips are usually eaten as a treat at a take away restaurant  Some restraunts are even famous for their chips like McDonalds etc. My favourite types of chips are definitly the ones that come from the chipper. Chips started to be commonly eaten about 200 years ago. Some people think that chips were originally from France because they have the name 'French Fry' but they were actually founded in America!






Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you enjoyed it! 

                             Health Benefits of Potatoes

You may not know that potatoes can be good for you, or maybe you did! Obviously when potatoes are deepfried and covered in fatty oils (chips, crisps etc) they wont be good for you, but potatoes do have high nutritional values! I bet you didnt know a potato a day will keep your heart healthy because it promotes normal blood pressure levels.

 Heres the nutrirional values for one white potato baked in its skin. 
                                                 

Calories	278
Fat	<1 g
Saturated Fat	<1 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Carbohydrate	63 g
Protein	6 g
Dietary Fiber	6 g
Sodium	21 mg
Vitamin C	37 mg
Thiamin	<1 mg
Niacin	5 mg
Vitamin B6	1 mg
Copper	<1 mg
Iron	2 mg
Magnesium	81 mg
Manganese	<1 mg
Phosphorus	224 mg
Potassium	1,627 mg

Some people consider potatoes to be vegetables but in reality they fall under the category of carbohydrates/starches. They are not considered vegetables because they have too much carbohydrates, so if you're thinking of having potatoes as a vegetable for your dinner, maybe go for broccoli instead! The problem with people thinking that potatoes are vegetables is that they may eat a bag of crisps and say 'but potatoes are vegetables' crisps don't even fall under the section of carbohydrates in the food pyramid, they fall under the bad food section in the pyramid.

Potatoes will only be good for you if you eat them in the right way such as a baked potato, not chips from your local chipper smothered in salt and vinegar! 

                                  Different types of potato

You may not know, but there are many different potatoes other than the ones you have on your dinner plate!

1. Rooster potatoes are the most common potatoes used in Ireland,  They were originally bred in Teagasc Oak Park Research Centre in Carlow. The rooster potato's easily distinguishable by its red skin. It has a floury yellow flesh which has unique all rounder properties. It is an extremely versatile potato which is perfect for boiling, mashing, steaming and baking! It is also easy to peel because of its shallow skin.

                                                    

2. Cultra potatoes are the most popular home grown potatoes in Ireland. Their skin is quite waxy and their flesh is white. These are most suitable for baking, boiling, steaming and roasting.

3. Golden Wonder Potatoes are the most floury potatoes available. They are suitable for baking roasting and frying but CANNOT be boiled as they will disintegrate in the boiling water. Golden Wonders are available from October through to June. There's also a crisp company named after these potatoes.

Kerr's Pink Potatoes have white to pink skin colour and a white flesh. They have a wide variety of uses such as boiling,steaming, baking,and chipping. They are available from August through to May/June.

Spud Life

Before Potatoes can be eaten, they have to be planted. Potatoes are quite easy to grow but they prefer to grow in cold weather (which is why Ireland grows lots of potatoes). Even before the potatoes are planted the seeds are stored in the fridge.

The first potato remains were discovered in the ancient ruins Peru and Chile, which were ancient civilisations in 5th BC!

Potatoes are 'A starchy plant tuber that is one of the most important food crops, cooked and eaten as a vegetable.' The potato was first domesticated in Chile, they were discovered when Europeans attacked the Incan empire in Peru and were brought to Europe around 1750, first to Spain, then off to England and Ireland. Potatoes are a staple food for two thirds of the world population, bet you didn't know that!
                                                         Heres a song about potatoes:

Introduction

Welcome!

My name is Anna, and this is my geog blog on potatoes! I'm making this blog as part of my environmental studies course in transition year. Potatoes in my opinion are the best food in the world because they're so versatile! Chips, crisps, wedges, roasties, mashed, jacket, baby potatoes there's just so much you can do!
I hope you will enjoy learning about it as much as I do!