A fascinating story

In the XVIth century, the Spanish conquistadors brought a surprising tuber back from an expedition to South America. Cultivated by indigenous peoples for generations, it was known as the potato.

In Europe, people initially were afraid of the strange vegetable. In the XVIIIth century, Frederick the Great of Prussia made it mandatory to grow and eat potatoes at the risk of having your ears cut off! A little later, Auguste Parmentier, the French military chemist and botanist, started a rumour that the tuber he was growing was very valuable. This inspired peasants to raid his fields and ended up introducing potatoes into all the gardens and kitchens in France!

Appearing in Canada towards the middle of the XVIIIth century, potatoes became more popular the following century, thanks in large part to the massive immigration of the Irish escaping famine in their home country. In the XXth century, and particularly around World War II, the potato nourished Quebec families at a modest cost in a difficult economic climate.

Used in many local dishes, like the famous “Chinese pie” (pâté chinois), potatoes have earned their place on our tables. Today, they are used not only in main dishes, but side dishes, and even certain desserts, but also as potato chips! There is no denying that we can’t do without them!