Huh? Why are potatoes now "swollen"...

Review expert: Xia Xiaofei, Secretary General of Beijing Botanical Society

Friends who often go to the supermarket to buy groceries and cook must have noticed that potatoes are getting bigger and bigger! In the past, you would need several potatoes to fry a dish, but now you only need one or two, and you may not be able to finish them. Seeing the potatoes getting bigger and bigger, some people began to worry that these potatoes were grown with growth enhancers. The discussion about the increasing size of potatoes even made it to the hot search list on Weibo.

Is it safe to eat potatoes? How do potatoes end up on the table? How to choose potatoes... Today, let's talk about potatoes.

Potatoes grow bigger, it has nothing to do with growth enhancers

First of all, we need to understand what a growth enhancer is. The common growth enhancer, chlorpyrifos, is a plant hormone chemical substance, mainly a substance that stimulates cytokinin. It is not a food additive. It is legal to use growth enhancers in the planting process. As long as it is used within the normal range, the growth enhancer is also safe.

A small amount of growth enhancers can promote plant growth, but excessive use will restrict growth, so farmers generally do not use excessive amounts. Even if growth enhancers are used, there will be very little residue left after maturity, and normal consumption will not harm health.

Image source: AI generated

Why are potatoes growing bigger and bigger? Experts point out that the reason why potatoes sold are getting bigger and bigger is mainly related to the potato varieties, cultivation techniques and production areas. China now has many high-quality varieties, such as Zaodabai, Zhongshu No. 2 and Neishu No. 3. The quality is getting better and better, and the output is also growing steadily. Basically, each mature potato weighs more than one kilogram.

In addition, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia and other places in my country are particularly suitable for the growth of potatoes. The potatoes here are not only large in size, but also have a particularly high yield. Now the potato planting technology is very advanced. Many places will use mulch cultivation technology, combined with scientific fertilization methods, it is not surprising that potatoes grow bigger and bigger.

How do potatoes end up on the table?

Potatoes were first grown and eaten by the Inca Empire, and were later introduced to Europe in the 16th century. When potatoes first arrived in Europe, no one knew how to eat them. At a British court banquet, the chef mistakenly threw away the potato tubers and cooked the poisonous stems and leaves instead. The nobles who ate these poisonous foods vomited and had diarrhea, and even the Queen of England was not immune. After that, the Queen ordered a ban on potato cultivation in the UK.

The fate of potatoes changed in 1756, when the Seven Years' War in Europe and the Great Famine in Prussia occurred. Prussian Emperor Frederick the Great forced farmers to grow edible potatoes, and he would use the most severe punishment for those farmers who discriminated against potatoes and refused to grow them. From then on, potatoes really spread. Although this promotion method is debatable, judging from the results, it did save many lives.

As time went by, people realized the disadvantages of variety homogeneity.

The Great Irish Famine of 1845 is such a tragic example . Due to the single potato variety and the attack of late blight, almost all of Ireland's potato crops suffered a devastating blow, and the whole of Ireland was devastated and starved.

So in the next hundred years, more varieties of potatoes were cultivated. Disease-resistant, high-yielding, cold-resistant, and more flavorful potatoes met more needs. Because of this, potatoes will accompany us on a longer journey.

Potatoes were introduced to China in the 16th century. Their status was greatly improved after they arrived in China. They were a royal dish in the Ming Dynasty and became a popular dish in the Qing Dynasty. They have many former names and are eaten in many different ways.

Image source: AI generated

Don't eat sprouted potatoes.

During the growth process, the leaves and stems of potatoes are poisonous, and even the potatoes themselves are poisonous. If you have observed potatoes carefully, you may find that some potatoes are slightly green, which is caused by the toxic alkaloid (solanine, also known as solanine).

Data show that the content of solanine in potatoes is generally 3-10 mg/100 g, which is basically present in the potato skin. Normal consumption is not enough to cause food poisoning. However, once the potatoes begin to sprout and turn green, the solanine content in them will be much higher than normal. Especially in the young sprouts and bud eyes, the toxin content is the highest!

If you eat them at this time, it may cause food poisoning, with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc., which may even be life-threatening in severe cases. Therefore, if you encounter sprouted potatoes or green potatoes in the future, it is recommended to throw them away immediately and do not eat them!

Teach you how to pick potatoes

0 1

Look at the appearance

Choose potatoes with smooth skin, no damage, and no signs of disease or insect pests. These potatoes are of better quality.

0 2

Look at the color

Normal potatoes have a uniform color of light yellow or creamy white. If they are green or have black spots, they may be of poor quality or have gone bad.

0 3

Look at the shape

Try to choose potatoes that are regular in shape and medium in size so they are easier to handle and cook.

0 4

Knead with hands

Fresh potatoes are firm and not soft. If the potatoes feel soft, they may no longer be fresh.

In the future, with the continuous advancement of agricultural technology and people's in-depth cultivation and research on potato, I believe that potatoes will show more surprising sides and add more color and fun to our lives.