Answer :
Final answer:
Potatoes originated in the Andes Mountains of South America, where they have been cultivated for thousands of years. The first Spaniard to see potatoes was likely Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada during the Spanish conquest. After their introduction to Europe in the 16th century, potatoes gradually gained acceptance and became an important food source, especially in Ireland.
Explanation:
Origin of Potatoes
The potato, known scientifically as Solanum tuberosum, originally comes from the Andes Mountains of South America, specifically Peru and Bolivia, where it has been cultivated by indigenous peoples for approximately 4,000 to 10,000 years. These native populations developed over 200 varieties suited to different environmental conditions and created innovative preservation methods like chuño.
First Spaniard to See Potatoes
The first Spaniard to witness the potato was likely Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada, who described it shortly after the Spanish conquest in the 1530s. His reports and those of other explorers played a crucial role in introducing the potato to Europe.
The potato reached Spain in the 16th century and from there spread gradually across Europe. Initially met with suspicion and rumors about its safety, it eventually became a staple crop, particularly in Ireland, due to its productivity and nutritional value.
Learn more about potatoes here:
https://brainly.com/question/38550323