You say, "Potato"... Chile challenges Peru's claim to be home of humble spud

[TechBear_Seattle]

If only the news in North America could be like this....

Chile's potato claim is indigestible, says Peru

LIMA -- The Irish hungered after it, Dan Quayle couldn't spell it, Russian cooks swear by it and China is its biggest producer -- and now the potato is at the root of an Andean war of words over where exactly it originated.

Peru and Chile, longtime rivals, are each laying claim to the humble vegetable, which experts agree is indigenous to South America and was spread to Europe by Spanish colonists in the 16th century.

At stake is the reflected glory of being the home of the "patata" (or "papa" in the Quechua language of the Andes), celebrated this year in the UN Year of the Potato.

Chile brought the dispute to a boil by disputing the bulk of scientific evidence -- and the UN potato website -- suggesting the spud was first cultivated near Lake Titicaca in southern Peru around seven millennia ago.

Agriculture Minister Marigen Hornkhol asserted the popular tuber in fact first sprouted on Chile's southern Chiloe Island, citing DNA tests showing that almost all the 7,000 potato varieties in the Netherlands have Chilean origins.

The blowback from Peru was predictably starchy.

The full article can be read at http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/breakingnews/breakingnews/view/20080531-139949/Chiles-potato-claim-is-indigestible-says-Peru

[Dr.Phool]

1. When Mr. Potatohead Attacks.

Or is that Mr. Potatoehead?

[SidDithers]

2. UN Year of the Potato?....

Why does Tim Russert get a honoured for a whole year?

Sid

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. I think Chile has a chip on its shoulder about this

Heh, that's about the only one the article missed. I bet the writer has a ball.