Klappentext Before domestication thousands of years ago, high up on the Andean antiplano, the high alkaloid content of potatoes made them poisonous to humans. This book traces potato's fascinating journey, from its origins and evolution in the Andes to its slightly mysterious arrival in Europe. Zusammenfassung Before domestication thousands of years ago, high up on the Andean antiplano, the high alkaloid content of potatoes made them poisonous to humans. This book traces potato's fascinating journey, from its origins and evolution in the Andes to its slightly mysterious arrival in Europe.

Vorwort
The story of one of the world's most important food crops

Autorentext

John Reader is an author and photojournalist. He holds an Honorary Research Fellowship in the Department of Anthropology at UCL and is a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and the Royal Geographic Society.

Klappentext

Baked Roast Boiled Mashed Steamed French-Fried... We've probably all tried one or other type and some of us eat them every day. The potato is one of the most familiar and ubiquitous foods and part of our sense of humble even mundane normality. Couch Potato. Cheap as Chips. Mr Potato Head. But the story of the solanum tuberosum is darker - one of struggle disease dirt and survival. Before domestication thousands of years ago high up on the Andean antiplano the high alkaloid content of potatoes made them poisonous to humans. But since then these perfectly formed bundles of nutrition - naturally fat free consisting mainly of energy giving carbohydrate but containing protein and half of your RDA of Vitamin C and potassium - have been grown safely and cheaply underground in almost any weather and soil conditions helping to fuel industrial revolution and population explosions. But their efficiency and versatility have also led to over-reliance and tragedy - most devastatingly in Ireland. John Reader follows the potato's fascinating journey from its origins and evolution in the Andes to its slightly mysterious arrival in Europe where it became in Britain Ireland and throughout Europe a crucial part of our gastronomic and social fabric. 2008 has been designated International Year of the Potato by the UN and as global population swells and famine remains a constant risk Reader asks what role the spud still has to play. Propitious Esculent is a highly readable exploration of the biology history and social influence of our most humble versatile foodstuff.

Zusammenfassung
Mr Potato Head. But the story of the solanum tuberosum is darker - one of struggle, disease, dirt and survival. Before domestication thousands of years ago, high up on the Andean antiplano, the high alkaloid content of potatoes made them poisonous to humans.