The Fascinating History of the Baked Potato
The versatile spud has a long history in various locations around the world
If you like to eat; like really like to eat, the main dish is naturally the star attraction. However, the sides should never be neglected and there are some great ones out there that have become cult classics over the years. Consider the versatile baked potato, which not only remains as popular now as it has for years but also has some interesting origins.
Trailing only rice, wheat and corn, potatoes are the fourth largest annual food crop in the world. They were first cultivated by the Inca around 8,000–5,000 B.C. and carried back to Europe in the 1,500s A.D. after Spanish Conquistadors conquered Peru. From there, their ease of growing and eating quickly made them a staple in many other countries.
Baking potatoes were a convenience for earlier kitchens. Not only did they not require any water to cook or clean, overcooking them did little to detract from the taste or texture of the desired interior flesh. With most homes having fires going mostly non-stop, baking potatoes was literally a simple matter of throwing something on the stove.
In truth, there is no known specific a-ha moment when the baked potato was “invented.” The simplicity of the tuber roasting in the…
