The document discusses the history, cultivation, and significance of potatoes, tracing their origins from South America to Europe and their eventual spread across the globe. It highlights Bulgaria's potato production, consumption, and export statistics, noting that potatoes are a vital part of the Bulgarian diet with various traditional dishes. Additionally, the document mentions the popularity of potatoes in modern cooking and their nutritional value.

1. Comenius project
“Mutual Cultural Influence of
Colonization and Migration”
General Secondary School
“Hristo Botev”,
Aytos, Bulgaria

2. Colonial Product
POTATOES

3. History of the potatoes
• The earliest known potatoes were discovered in
the high mountains of South America, Peru and
Chile. The earliest such remains of potatoes
date to 400 B.C. They were found at
archaeological sites at Chiripa, on the shores of
Lake Titicaca. Other findings have been in
Bolivia, Lima, Peru; and on the coast of northern
Chile.
• After its discovery by Spanish conquistadors,
the potato was taken to Europe. Although the
Spanish took the Inca empire for gold, the
potato proved to be the richest treasure they
carried home. Potatoes , planted and cultivated ,
provided food for millions.

4. It took nearly two centuries…
• Spanish records show that it entered
Seville in 1570 and was used to feed
hospital patients in 1573. It then
travelled to Italy, Germany, and into
the Orient. Later a royal Swedish
edict compelled Sweden to grow the
crop.
• It took nearly two centuries,
following the potato's introduction
from South America, before it really
achieved common acceptance.

5. Potatoes Growth and Seasons
• Potatoes are grown from seed
potatoes, which must be free from
viruses and other diseases, which
limit yield.
• The potato crop has three seasons,
first harvest second harvest and
maincrop.

6. Types & varieties
• More then 130 potatoes varieties have
been developed for various uses. Depends
on its use, potatoes differs between:
 Steady Potatoes
 Predominantly Steady Potatoes
 Mealy Potatoes
• The most famous Bulgarian varieties
created in Vegetables Research Institute
in Plovdiv are:
 Иверце - Ivertse
 Надежда - Nadejda
 Перун - Perun
 Рожен – Rojen
 Орфей - Orpheus

7. Potatoes “Power”
People rarely know the real potato power .
Per 100 g main crop potatoes, raw:
• Water - 77,8 g Calcium - 9,5 mg
• Carbohydrate - 18,5 g Natrium - 3,2 mg
• Ballast substances - 2,5 g Niacin - 1,22
mg
• Protein - 2,1 g Iron substances – 0,80 mg
• Mineral substances - 1,0 g
• Calium - 443 mg Biotin - 0,40 mg
• Fat - 100 mg Starch - 15 g
• Phosphor - 50 mg
• Magnesium - 25 mg
• Vitamin C - 17 mg

8. World Potatoes Production

9. Some facts about Bulgaria
• Bulgaria is a major supplier of grapes, apples,
and tomatoes to Europe and the former Soviet
Union. Potatoes and paprika are also important
crops. Production in 2004 included (in thousands
of tons): grapes, 400; apples, 30; tomatoes, 400;
and potatoes, 574.
• According to the data of ‘Agro-statistic’ in 2002
the total output of potatoes was 627,000 tonnes
from 52,000 hectares.
• The biggest potato producers are in Smolian,
Sofia, Pazardgik, Plovdiv and Blagoevgrad
regions.

10. Realisation of produced potatoes
• Potato utilisation by industry is small; only 2% and limited to chips
and frozen potatoes producing. No potatoes are used for non-food
uses in Bulgaria.
Realisation of produced potatoes (%) for 2004
 For consumption For market For industry
45% 53% 2%
• During the commercial 2009 the production of potatoes is the
largest – 232 000 tons.
• In 2009 there are 30 480 tons of fresh vegetables exported, such as
potatoes and mushrooms. The main export is to EU member states.
• The exported quantities of potatoes for consumption have
decreased in comparison to the previous year by 92%, down to 53
tons. There is export of potatoes for planting realized (42 tons). The
main market for this is Romania.

11. Potatoes import in Bulgaria
• The import of fresh potatoes in 2009 adds up to
22 001 tons (including 2 528 tons for sowing and
19 473 tons for consumption), which is by 23%
more than in the previous year.
• Traditionally, the main import of high quality
planting supplies comes from Netherlands –
1 675 tons. Larger quantities of potatoes for
consumption are imported from Turkey – 9 377
tons and Germany – 4 340 tons.

12. Potatoes nowadays
• Today it is the most popular vegetable, cooked
and prepared in many tasty and innovative
ways.
• Oven chips can be found in more and more
shopping trolleys, but fresh chips are still
prepared at home by 44% of housewives,
according to new research by National Statistic
Institute. Most consumers (51%) still use a
traditional chip pan, while 34% prefer a deep-fat
fryer.
• Thirty per cent of people in Bulgaria say chips
are their favourite potato dish.

13. One Bulgarian Kitchen
• Мусака (Musaka) -The bulgarian moussaka is
made of potatoes and minced meat. Carrots are
optional. Usually there’s a layer of yogurt and
eggs on top.
• Огретен (Ogreten) - Gratin usually contains
potatoes and white cheese.

14. Potatoes in different regions:
• Patatnik (Potato Dish) • Кюфтета по
- You can prepare чирпански (Kyufteta
patatnik as a main po Tchirpanski) -
course on Ignazhden. Stew of meatballs,
In the old times during potatoes, carrots,
cold winter months onions.
potatoes used to
represent one of the
main foods of the
Bulgarian diet. They
have even been used
to make bread.

15. Others:
• Картофени
кюфтета (Kartofeni
kyufteta) - Potato
balls.
• Картофена яхния
(Kartofena yahniya)
- Potato stew.
• Potatoes salad –
Boiled potatoes
with onion and
vinegar.

16. This project has been funded with
support from the European
Commission.
This presentation reflects the views
only of the author, and the
Commission cannot be held
responsible for any use which may be
made of the information contained
therein.
Thanks for your attention!