How the humble potato conquered the world from Andean origins

The potato is now grown on every continent except Antarctica. It is cooked in countless ways and serves as a cheap source of starch and nutrients. This humble tuber has a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Wild potato plants were first domesticated around 8,000 years ago by Indigenous peoples. These early selections took place in the high plains of South America, near Lake Titicaca in modern-day Peru and Bolivia. The potato lineage we rely on today traces back to these original cultivations.

Spanish conquistadors later brought potatoes to Europe in the 16th century. From there, the crop spread globally. Part of the nightshade family, potatoes share ancestry with tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. The edible part is the underground tuber, not the foliage or flowers.

Potatoes thrive in cool climates with well-drained soil. Today, institutes like the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences are using genetic engineering to make the crop even more resilient. Potatoes have become a staple in many diets due to their adaptability and nutritional value. They continue to play a vital role in food security, especially in regions where other crops struggle. Modern science is now building on their ancient origins to improve their hardiness.