India
Potatoes arrived in India in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, most likely from Portugal. Today India is the world’s third largest producer of potatoes… around 24 million tonnes in 2006.
Down on the Indo-Gangetic plain potatoes are grown through the short winter – the summers are too hot and dry. But in the higher altitudes of the south conditions are ideal for growing potatoes all year round.
Incredibly, between 1960 and 2000 potato production here increased by almost 850%, partly because of the growing demand from higher-income populations in towns and cities. Since 1990 average consumption has risen from 12kg to 17kg a year.
We’ve got two delicious Indian-spiced potato dishes for you to try…
