In the distant past, potatoes were once known as "devil plants", have you ever heard the story behind this? During the long years of farming, a weathered old farmer once revealed to me that potatoes in the past were not as high-profile as they are now, but were regarded as cheap goods to feed pigs. Time flies, but today's potatoes have been transformed into one of the four major grains in the mainland, and the transformation is really amazing.
Back then, people didn't have as much food choices as they do today. Rice, wheat, corn, these three food giants naturally needless to say, and the rise of potatoes has only been known to the public in recent years. Speaking of which, you may wonder why potatoes have such a notoriety as a "demon plant"?
This has to start with the origin of potatoes. Seven thousand years ago, the ancestors of Peru discovered this exotic plant and began a long process of cultivation. However, the early potatoes were not widely recognized. In the eyes of Europeans, this undocumented crop was labeled "sinful food." In addition, some nonsense, such as eating potatoes will get strange diseases, makes the reputation of potatoes worse.
What's even more interesting is that the phenomenon that potatoes turn black when cut is also misunderstood as poisonous. This misconception was widespread in European society at the time, resulting in the long-term marginalization of potatoes and even their use as pig feed. It was not until the European colonial wars in the 18th century that potatoes became a lifesaver for solving the food crisis because of their drought-tolerant and barren-tolerant characteristics.
And in the far east, during the Qing Dynasty, China also faced the challenge of population growth. High-yielding crops such as potatoes and sweet potatoes have become an important source of food to feed hundreds of millions of people. Today, although potatoes still play a role in the dishes of most families, their rich nutritional value and contribution to food security cannot be ignored.
Looking back on the legendary history of potatoes, we can't help but sigh at the fate of the fate. From being misunderstood as a "demon plant", to being a hero to save a famine, to now being a regular at our table, the story of potatoes is full of legends. And this is the magic of nature, which can always surprise and inspire us inadvertently.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you are interested in the legend of potatoes, you may wish to leave a message in the comment area to share your views and experiences. Let's explore the mystery of this amazing plant and feel the charm and wisdom of nature!