Passadoc Gazette – No 135

« She »... It's the potato! Can we imagine life without it so present today on our plates? Hard!

It seems to be inseparable from the name of Antoine Parmentier (1737-1813 – military pharmacist, agronomist, hygienist), known for introducing the tuber into our diet (XVIII^e century).

But its appearance on our continent is much older since it is found in Europe as early as 1540. Native to South America, – during research, we discover* remains of cultivated tubers dating from 8,000 B.C. – here it is first in Spain under the name of « patata » ; it crosses the Pyrenees, travels a long way to Italy and becomes « taratuffi », i.e. « small truffle » ; Then she crosses the border and stops at Saint-Alban d'Ay (Ardèche).

In the rest of hexagon, it is not very popular: it is believed to be toxic, so the reserve is the only feed for animals.

Fortunately, Parmentier shows that the tuber is completely edible. He offered Louis XVI a bouquet of potato flowers. It is said that the king, first surprised, detachs a flower which he slides into the buttonhole of Marie-Antoinette. « That evening, at the Court of Versailles, we had the privilege of tasting, for the first time at the "parmentière".« 

Now, the sovereign will help Parmentier conduct his research. The legend that he would have complimented agronomist: "France will one day thank you, Mr Parmentier, for finding the bread of the poor."

– Where are our potatoes?

Patience... Here's a whole field!

Jeanne Monin