About this episode
This episode explores the history and cultural significance of the potato, its resurgence in popularity, and its role in the global food system.
Potatoes are having a moment. Once dismissed as dull, stodgy or even unhealthy, they’re now back, appearing on restaurant menus, in food magazines and across social media feeds. But the story of the potato goes back much further. In this episode, Ruth Alexander traces the journey of one of the world’s most familiar foods. From its origins millions of years ago to its place in today’s global food system. AJ Shehata, senior sous chef at Fallow restaurant in London explains why the potato forces chefs to get creative. At the Natural History Museum, botanist Sandy Knapp explains how the potato may have been born from a chance encounter between two wild plants in the Andes, an event that made it possible for potatoes to grow underground and spread across new environments. We explore how the potato became a global food. Potatoes USA president Blair Richardson explains how demand continues to grow worldwide, and how the industry is working to reshape the potato’s image. We ask whether the potato’s reputation is deserved. Nutrition scientist Candida Rebello shares research suggesting potatoes may be far more beneficial, and more misunderstood, than many people think. And at the…
People in this episode
Host: Ruth Alexander
Guests: Blair Richardson, Candida Rebello, Julian Soto
Topics covered
- potato history
- global food system
- nutrition
- cultural significance
- agriculture
Keywords
- potato
- nutrition
- cultural identity
- agriculture
- global food
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Potatoes USA, International Potato Center
Places: Andes, Peru
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