When one thinks of art, vibrant canvases, intricate sculptures, and awe-inspiring masterpieces might come to mind. However, an unexpected star emerges amidst this creative realm—the humble potato. This seemingly ordinary tuber has left a big mark on the art world, serving as both a subject and an inspiration for countless artists throughout history.

The Potato Eaters

Vincent van Gogh’s iconic masterpiece, “The Potato Eaters,” remains one of the most poignant examples of the potato’s presence in art. Painted in 1885, this powerful depiction of a peasant family sharing a meager meal demonstrates the importance of the potato as a staple food in European societies. Van Gogh’s remarkable brushwork and empathetic portrayal immortalize the potato as a symbol of resilience and unity in the face of hardship.

Potatoes in Contemporary Art

Potatoes continue to inspire artists in the modern era, leading to innovative and thought-provoking creations. From imaginative potato sculptures to whimsical potato-themed installations, contemporary artists have embraced the spud’s versatility as a medium for self-expression. Some artists even use potato stamps to create unique patterns and textures in

their artwork, demonstrating that beauty can be found in the simplest and most accessible materials.

Potatoes as a Symbol

Beyond being a mere subject of art, the potato holds symbolic meaning in various cultures. In Ireland, the Great Famine of the mid-19th century, which devastated the country’s potato crops, became an enduring symbol of struggle and resilience. Artists have channeled this history into their work, paying homage to the potato’s role in shaping the nation’s identity.

Conclusion

The potato’s presence in art throughout the world transcends its culinary significance, demonstrating its ability to inspire and captivate the creative spirit. From the timeless still lifes of the Dutch masters to contemporary installations and thought-provoking symbolism, the potato’s artistic journey is a testament to its enduring appeal. So, the next time you enjoy a delicious potato dish, take a moment to appreciate its beauty as a subject, its historical significance, and its ability to ignite the imagination of artists worldwide.

Everyone knows the incredible range of dishes that potatoes can make, but not all spuds are created equal. Here’s a primer on four common types of potatoes and the best way to cook them:

Russet

When you think of potatoes, there’s a decent chance you’re thinking of a russet. These beautiful brown potatoes make up 70 percent of potato sales in the United States, and for good reason. Being high in starch, the russet is perfect for baking, as the starch helps create a fluffy texture that can’t be beat. Because of the fluffiness, russets are the best for french fries too.

Red

Although waxier than their counterparts, red potatoes still have plenty of uses. Because of their low starch content and higher moisture retention, reds are able to keep the same shape in most circumstances. This makes them ideal for soups, stews, and potato salad. Some larger red varieties have a creamier texture which works great for mashing, but smaller reds will generally be waxy.

Purple

Although known for its striking purple color both raw and cooked, purple potatoes are often overlooked for their taste. Similar in starch and moisture content to the red potato, purple potatoes have a similar taste to russets with an added earthy flavor. This means they can be roasted, baked, and mashed the same way russets can. Not to mention, like other purple fruits and vegetables, purple potatoes are high in antioxidants. 

Going to the store and seeing potatoes in different colors can be confusing. Knowing which potato works best is a valuable skill when making your next meal. 

It’s time to face a hard truth: Not every potato can be worthy of being called a ProHealth potato.

Maybe they’re not shaped correctly, maybe they’re undergrown, maybe they’re overgrown. The point is, we sadly can’t use every potato. The same amount of time and effort goes into planting, growing, and harvesting unused potatoes as those which are used. How do we know which potatoes to use? And what happens to the ones that don’t get used by ProHealth? 

When we harvest potatoes, we look for the same things you look for when choosing potatoes at the store. If a potato has any green spots, it means that it has begun producing solamine, which is toxic to humans. If the potato has turned soft and is starting to grow “eyes” or spots where roots are growing, it means that they’ve already begun to mature. If any potatoes we grow feature any of these things, they’re immediately discarded.

Before we begin our Pure Wash System™ of triple-washing the harvested potatoes, we take another look at the spuds to make sure we’re washing the healthiest potatoes. That way, we ensure that potatoes not up to snuff never get close to your dinner table.

While it’s easy to discard potatoes we won’t use, we do our best to stay environmentally friendly and not throw away produce we could be repurposing elsewhere. So, what happens to these unused potatoes?

Most unused potatoes are given to local animal agriculturists and fed to dairy cows. Because of this, we call our unused potatoes “Cow Chow.” However, it’s not just the potatoes that make their way to the cows. At some of our farms, we also give the excess water we use to wash potatoes to local cows for drinking. Sounds like these cows are getting a four-course potato feast. That’s not the only way we reuse our produce. Other potatoes are composted and used to fertilize the soil where our spuds are planted.

Whether they’re used as “Cow Chow” to feed local dairy cows or composted to help the strength of our farm’s soil, our goal is to make sure no potato goes to waste.

Have you ever wondered how “spud” became the most common term of potato endearment? There were some early theories on “why are potatoes called spuds?” but only one that seems to hit the nail on the Potato Head.

Potato Haters

When potatoes were first introduced by Spain to the rest of Europe in the 18th century, many thought they were not fit for humans, so they founded the Society for the Prevention of an Unwholesome Diet, aka SPUD. Their theories on potatoes’ problems were later debunked, and so was the notion that the word spud came from them.

The Tool of the Trade

The real reason spuds got their moniker is from the way they are planted. A small hole has to be dug using a short knife, or dagger, to place a potato segment in the ground. The name of the implements used to dig were translated from many languages including the Latin root word “spad” (or sword), the Spanish “espada,” the Dutch “spyd” and eventually the English “spade.” It soon grew to be colloquially known as “spud” to the English-speaking world.

Potato Wordplay

There are many fun potato nicknames out there that you may not know about like Murphy (a common Irish surname), Tuber and even Earthapple. But, spud seems to be what sticks in most people’s minds. It’s even become a common nickname: think of humans like Spud Webb and mascots like Spuds MacKenzie.

So there’s your answer to “why are potatoes called spuds?” But whatever you call them, learn more potato facts and get recipes to make spuds with your buds from our blog.