Table of Contents
Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500’s and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.
Where did Ireland get potatoes from?
The Inca Indians in Peru were the first to cultivate potatoes around 8,000 BC to 5,000 B.C. In 1536 Spanish Conquistadors conquered Peru, discovered the flavors of the potato, and carried them to Europe. Sir Walter Raleigh introduced potatoes to Ireland in 1589 on the 40,000 acres of land near Cork.
Were potatoes native to Ireland?
However, the potato was not a native of Ireland. It had been found by Spanish conquistadors in south America in the 1500s was shipped to Europe, and reached Ireland around 1590. For the next 80 years it was grown in small numbers, mainly in Munster, as a garden crop or stand-by.
Where did potatoes come from originally?
The humble potato was domesticated in the South American Andes some 8,000 years ago and was only brought to Europe in the mid-1500s, from where it spread west and northwards, back to the Americas, and beyond.
Are Irish potatoes a Philly thing?
Irish potatoes are a Philadelphia tradition, one that’s more than a century old. In the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, the cinnamon-coated, coconut cream spheres pop up in area candy stores, gift shops, and supermarkets.
What did Irish eat before potatoes?
Until the arrival of the potato in the 16th century, grains such as oats, wheat and barley, cooked either as porridge or bread, formed the staple of the Irish diet.
Why did Ireland only grow potatoes?
Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland’s population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.
Why do the Irish like potatoes?
You might be asking, why would anyone eat that many potatoes in a day? Because the potato grew easily, even in poor conditions, it soon became the food staple of Irish life. It seemed that the Irish would be able to survive for a time despite the tyrannous burdens placed on them by the British.
Did the Irish only eat potatoes?
The Irish Planted Only Potatoes. This is basically the “smoking gun” part of the Irish famine. The Irish, we were taught, in the 1800’s, were so enthusiastic about potatoes, and so silly, that they planted nothing but potatoes and ate a diet almost exclusively of potatoes.
How did the Irish famine end?
The Famine Comes to an End By 1852 the famine had largely come to an end other than in a few isolated areas. This was not due to any massive relief effort – it was partly because the potato crop recovered but mainly it was because a huge proportion of the population had by then either died or left.
Where did the potato come from Ireland or South America?
The potato first made its appearance in Europe about 1570, having been brought from South America by the Spaniards. Traditional wisdom has it that Sir Walter Raleigh introduced the crop to Ireland about 1585. As a staple diet for the native population, it proved to be ideal.
Why were potatoes illegal in France?
However, French people did not trust the new food, which was used mainly for feeding pigs, and in 1748 growing potatoes was banned by parliament as they were thought to spread disease, especially leprosy. He suggested potatoes as an alternative to grain in time of famine saying they could be used like flour for baking.
What did Europe eat before potatoes?
Cereals remained the most important staple during the early Middle Ages as rice was introduced late, and the potato was only introduced in 1536, with a much later date for widespread consumption. Barley, oats and rye were eaten by the poor. Wheat was for the governing classes.
Is Irish Potato Candy really Irish?
Irish potato candy is a traditional Philadelphia confection. Despite its name, it is not from Ireland, and does not usually contain any potato. While the commercial confection is usually coconut-cream–based, recipes for potato-based Irish Potato candy do exist.
Are Irish potatoes real potatoes?
Irish potatoes are not Irish – they are a type of white potato from South American which are forever associated with an infamous potato-disease famine in Ireland.
What is botanical name of Irish potato?
Introduction. The potato (Irish potato, white potato, Solanum tuberosum L.) is of ancient origin. It has originated and was first domesticated in South America, even before the appearance of maize.
Why is Irish food so bad?
It’s no wonder so many visitors describe Irish food as bland—they’re simply high on sodium. But kick the addiction and the meals’ natural flavours shine. Ireland’s defining foods—dairy, lamb, beef, seafood and, of course, more variations of the potato than you can ever imagine—are featured on menus from coast to coast.
What can you not eat in Ireland?
10 Irish Food Rules You Must Not Break Rashers (this is back bacon – like Canadian bacon. Pork sausages. Black pudding (sausages mixed with oats, herbs and pork blood – trust me, its delicious) White pudding (same as above, minus the blood) Grilled mushrooms. Grilled tomatoes. Eggs (scrambled, fried or poached).
What did Irish people eat 1000 years ago?
Historical records point out that Irish people didn’t eat much meat – they ate salty bacon, peas, beans, butter and cheese [this period pre-dates the widespread use of potatoes in Ireland] but was that based on bias or observation?” shes asks. How children were fed in this period is another area of potential discovery.
Why did the Irish not eat fish during famine?
In pre-Famine Ireland, fish was seen as a luxury by those who did not live by the sea. It was eaten with bread or potatoes. When the blight struck the potato crops, people stopped eating fish as well.
What foods did the Irish invent?
Scrumptious foods you didn’t know were from Ireland Chocolate milk. This tasty treat was created by a physician from Northern Ireland named Hans Sloane during the 1700s. Cheese and onion potato chips. Porter cake. Yellowman. Potato bread. Spice bag (or Spice box) Blaa. Goody (Goodie).
How did the Irish survive before potatoes?
For veggies, the Irish relied on cabbages, onions, garlic, and parsnips, with some wild herbs and greens spicing up the plate, and on the fruit front, everyone loved wild berries, like blackberries and rowanberries, but only apples were actually grown on purpose.
