The Humble Potato

"You say Potato, I say Pattatah" Others say spud, tattie, tater, but whatever you want to call it, the humble potato is so delicious and versatile that we aren't surprised it is our Irish brethren's favourite vegetable! With St Patrick's Day looming this weekend, we thought that before we celebrate with the traditional Guinness and silly hat, we would give you some fun facts about potatoes:

1. The Year of the Potato
2008 was the International Year of the Potato

2. The First Food Grown in Space
In 1995 potatoes were taken into space on the shuttle Columbia, marking the first time food has been grown in space.

3. The Biggest Potato
World's biggest potato weighed in at 18 pounds and 4 ounces (according to the Guinness Book of World Records) which is enough to make 72 medium portions of McDonalds fries!

4. A Royal Fashion Accessory
Marie Antoinette was known to wear potato blossoms with her outfits.

5. Potatoes can be Poisonous
The plant contains the toxic compound glycoalkaloids in the stem and leaves. When the potato turns green this is a result of a high concentration of the glycoalkaloid poison. Don't worry though, being poisoned by potatoes is very, very rare!

So bake them, fry them, boil them or mash them, but whichever way you like your potatoes, enjoy them this weekend! It is what St Patrick would have wanted.