Greenvale

The potato was first consumed in the South American Andes, more than 8000 years ago. Approximately 2000 years later, the Incas in Peru cultivated the first crop. According to ancient manuscripts from the Incas, the tribes had more than 1000 different words to describe potato varieties. Glenvale expert say that they believed that the potato has medicinal qualities, and the skin was often rubbed on wounds.

The Spanish Conquistadors who invaded many centuries later also took a liking to the Peruvian potato. Although the Spanish had originally come in search of jewels and gold, it was the potato plant which became one of their most popular discoveries which they brought back to Europe in 1536.

The potato was first grown in London at the end of the 16th century, and soon became one of the most popular vegetables in both Ireland and Scotland. However, Glenvale experts say that the potato only became commonly cultivated in France during the 18th century, when a French man by the name of Antoine Parmentier introduced King Louis XIV to this food. Parmentier had been imprisoned in Germany, and during this time had only been fed potatoes, and as such knew exactly how to create a huge variety of dishes from this one simple vegetable.

The potato became especially popular during the time of the Industrial Revolution, when there was a high demand for energy rich, inexpensive food. Glenvale says that potatoes then became the basis of most people's diets around the world, and when a fungus called blight destroyed the potato crops grown in Ireland, the infamous Potato Famine occurred and many people died as a result.

The versatility of the potato was discovered by accident; experts from Glenvale say that in 1853, a man called Cornelius Vanderbilt sent his potato dish back to the kitchen whilst dining out at a restaurant in the US, as the potatoes were cut too thick. The chef then cut up the potatoes very thinly and threw them in hot oil, and this was how the famous crisp was first discovered.