I sat quietly in the corner of
the restaurant, eyeing my surroundings curiously. Everyone was chatting,
chewing, sighing, and seemingly unaware of the great presence among them. That
presence seemed frail and weak as they held it in their fingertips and chewed
it in their puny mouths. In their fingertips they held something that could change
the course of the future: the infamous Solanum
tuberosum, commonly known as the potato.
It has been thousands of years since the
potato was first cultivated by the Inca-Indians in Peru and since then it has
spread throughout Europe and the world. Its charm has allowed it to gain
popularity throughout the world and gain power over many. It even rivals the
three largest food crops in the world, namely rice, wheat, and maize. In fact it
has become the fourth most important staple food in the world today. The
European Union even recommends the Asian countries to replace rice with
potatoes as a staple food.
Many say that it
can be the solution for world hunger and poverty. It is said that it takes less
effort to grow and cultivate potatoes and it can be used for a large variety of
purposes. It is the most transformative crop that has ever existed.
Sadly, not
everything about this majestic root crop is good. When the potato was first
introduced in Europe many people became suspicious of it. Many of the religious
leaders during that time denounced it because it was not mentioned in the
bible. Some even thought it was poisonous. Until now many people think that
potatoes are bad for one’s health.
Many of the
articles that I’ve read on the internet say that the potatoes can cause
diabetes and other health issues. They say that although it is rich in B vitamins
and essential minerals it is merely a chunk of calories that can make you fat.
“So what would happen if the potatoes were to
suddenly disappear?” I asked myself as I chewed on a handful of fries. As of
now, it is the staple food of many countries. It has also become widely popular
in the world. Many of our favorite dishes are made of potatoes. Fries, mashed
potatoes, potato salad. All of those would be gone forever if the all the
potatoes disappeared.
In 1845 and 1846, a disease ruined most of the potato crop
in Ireland and caused major devastation. Many of the Irish were forced to move
out of the country in search for food. That horrible event was called the Irish
Potato famine. It may be a sample of what is to happen if all the potatoes
disappear from the face of the earth.
If someone had control over the potato supply of the
earth they would be able to control a large portion of the world population.
They would have the whole world wrapped around their fingers. The power of
potatoes is so great that one could rule over the world with it. With it, one
could start a revolution, a war, or even a conspiracy.
The mysteries and possibilities of the potato are
great and one cannot comprehend it all in one sitting. I slowly began to stand
from the table, still lost in thought. As I walked out of the restaurant, I
marveled at all the wonders that the potato could make. I smiled to myself and
thought, “To be continued.”
