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——【Foreword·】 ——»
Thousands of plant species live and thrive in the mysterious and ancient land of China, however, one of the miraculous crops known as "cold potato" has attracted widespread debate and attention.
Known as the "life-saving food" of the southern region of the continent, and even the food that was once used as a staple food, the hidden story behind it is curious.
Although it is often said that "one side of the water and soil feeds one person", why has this unique crop, which is regarded as highly nutritious and valuable, gradually faded out of our sight?
Let's unravel this mystery and explore this legendary "Emerald"!
——【·Changes in the status of cold potatoes·】——»
Hey, friend, have you ever heard of cold potatoes? This is a star in the South, with a flat shape and a pale yellow skin and white or yellowish flesh on the inside. Don't look at it smooth on the outside, it's a little hard to the touch, but it's not easy to collapse!
The meat of this product is so full that it is not good, the moisture is particularly high, and after everything is opened, it is white and tender, and it is crisp and raw when chewed. Compared with ordinary potatoes, it is much more delicate, and it is simply a meaty little prince.
At the beginning, it ran from South America to China, and during the Ming Dynasty, it began to sweep in the south and became a big star in the local area. Do you know that cold potatoes have a wave of presence in the southern territory, and they were once staple food bosses.
However, times have changed, living standards have risen, there is more food, and the light of cold potatoes has gradually dimmed. In the 90s, there was more food, and people were no longer so dependent on cold potatoes, which fell from the throne of staple food and became a general vegetable.
Later, in the 21st century, the status of cold potatoes has plummeted, because there are rumors that it is poisonous. Oh, what happened to the people at that time? Could it be that the people who ate cold potatoes in the first place were the iron man elite?
This guy was very popular in the southern mountains back then, and people couldn't put it down. Not only can it be eaten raw, but it can also be stir-fried and made into a variety of delicious dishes. Although everyone calls it "cold potato", it is not on the same level as potatoes, it belongs to the jicama category.
It generally grows in the southern mountainous areas, does not pick a place, has a strong adaptability, and its reproductive ability is also a must. A lot of people are crazy about growing cold potatoes because of their size and high yield, and they are simply the rock stars of crops.
In the past, it was the main granary of the southern region and the staple food of rural families in winter. As soon as the harvest season arrives, everyone is busy piling up the cold potatoes into a cool and ventilated place, and the freshness is handy.
After simple peeling, it can be eaten raw, steamed, dried into dry goods, and can also be boiled into a pot of fragrant cold potato soup. It's oversized, easy to store, and adaptable enough to withstand barren land and arid places.
The growth rate is also quite rapid, often occupying a large area of land in the blink of an eye.
The yield is not inferior to that of sweet potatoes, and in that era when everything is delicious, cold potatoes are simply a "life-saving artifact"! What's even crazier is that many dolls actually eat cold potatoes as fruits, and the sweetness and juiciness of raw food are simply the childhood memories of a generation.
——[Became a staple food 30 years ago]——»
Thirty years ago, cold potatoes were the darling of rural southern areas and were widely used in home cooking. Its sweet taste and variety of cooking methods, such as stir-fried pork with cold potatoes and stewed pork ribs with cold potatoes, have become a delicacy on the table.
What's even more interesting is that it can even be made into snacks, such as candied hash browns and cold potato syrup. And this former king of food can be described as the main granary of the southern region at that time.
In that era of material scarcity, cold potatoes became people's staple food because of their high yield and rich nutrition. Its cooking smoke once permeated the mountains of the southern region and became the main storage grain for many families to spend the winter.
However, a turning point in the story came along. Time flies, people's living standards improve, food supply increases, and cold potatoes gradually decline from the status of staple food to general vegetables.
At the beginning of the 21st century, there were even rumors that cold potatoes had toxins, which made its status on the table even more precarious. You may wonder why cold potatoes became a staple food in those days when they were obviously non-toxic.
In fact, cold potatoes do not contain toxins on their own, and the problem lies in a toxin called jicamanthin in its seeds and leaves. This toxin is not a good thing for the human body and can cause symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.
Yes, it is the existence of this toxin that makes many people shy away from cold potatoes. However, it is important to note that only the seeds and leaves of cold potatoes contain this toxin, while cold potatoes themselves are non-toxic.
In other words, as long as we avoid these two parts when eating cold potatoes, we can completely avoid poisoning reactions. After the cold potato entered China, it was gradually popularized in the southern region and became a major local food.
Its flat shape, yellowish skin, white or yellowish flesh, and plump texture have won it a favorite among diners. Rich in carbohydrates and dietary fiber, cold potatoes are not only suitable for stewing and stir-frying, but also serve as a refreshing summer dietary option.
Perhaps it was because of the rich nutritional value of cold potatoes that it became a staple food on the table of southerners in that era. At that time, the economic level was limited, and the high yield and nutrient abundance of cold potatoes became a powerful assistant to solve the food problem in the southern region.
In general, cold potatoes have not really disappeared, but there are still people in some areas who continue to grow them. Its variety of cooking methods and abundant nutrition have allowed it to find a new way to survive in time.
Perhaps, one day in the future, cold potatoes can return to people's tables and shine with a new attitude.
——【Other reasons for the disappearance of cold potatoes·】——»
However, the reasons for the reduction in the cultivation of cold potatoes are not simple. We can look at this transition from multiple angles. First, there has been a significant increase in the focus on food safety.
Although cold potatoes do not contain toxins per se, the jicamavain toxins in their seeds and leaves have become one of the reasons why people avoid them. Modern consumers are more inclined to choose safe and secure agricultural products, which makes cold potatoes gradually lose their competitiveness in the market.
Secondly, with the improvement of the economic level, people's dietary concepts have changed dramatically. Variety, convenience and nutritional balance have become the main themes of modern diet.
Compared with the relatively poor taste of cold potatoes, more kinds of root vegetables have emerged in the modern agricultural market, such as delicious carrots and potatoes, which have gradually occupied the taste favor of consumers.
In addition, the development of agricultural technology has also provided an opportunity for the introduction of more high-quality crops. The application of new cultivation techniques has made carrots, potatoes and other vegetables have greater advantages in yield and quality.
In this case, the position of cold potatoes in the market has become relatively marginal. However, the disappearance of cold potatoes is not absolute. In some high mountains and barren land in the southern part of the continent, the cold potato is still an important crop.
Although it is no longer the mainstream food, in some characteristic areas, cold potatoes continue to shine with their unique local cuisine status. Therefore, we can see that the disappearance of cold potatoes is the result of a combination of factors.
From food safety to taste, to market competition and scientific and technological progress, all have had an impact on the fate of cold potatoes. Although cold potatoes are no longer mainstream in some regions, they still maintain a place in certain scenes and become one of the unique agricultural products in the region.
Under different market needs and the background of the times, the fate of agricultural products will also change, and the experience of cold potatoes may reflect the multifaceted nature of this change.
——【·Conclusion·】——»
Food is not only a source of energy for the body, but also an important carrier of emotional sustenance and cultural inheritance. Behind every dish is a story, and an ingredient also contains a historical memory.
However, in the fast-moving modern society, our tastes are also constantly changing, and some traditional delicacies are facing the fate of being forgotten. So, what should we do with these foods that carry memories of past cultures and tastes?
Whether to continue to adhere to the tradition, or to adapt to the development of the times and try to innovate and integrate? This is a question worth pondering and a task full of challenges.
No matter which path we choose, we must not forget the traditional foods that have brought us joy and warmth, because they are not only food, but also a spiritual and emotional bond. Let's protect this precious heritage together, so that more people can understand and appreciate its unique charm!
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