Zhaotong Potatoes

Zhaotong Potatoes

　　"Eating potatoes makes you handsome" (where "handsome" refers to being attractive and dashing) is a common saying among the people of Yunnan. This speaks volumes about their deliciousness and popularity. Zhaotong potatoes can be prepared in many ways, with easy-to-learn cooking methods. Common dishes include Ash-Dusted Snacks, Fried Potato Balls, Pan-Fried Potato Cakes, Stir-Fried Potato Strips, Fried Potato Chips, Steamed Potatoes with Rice Flour, Braised Potatoes, Grandma’s Potatoes, Cold Mixed Potatoes, Pickled Vegetable and Potato Soup, Potato Stewed Rice, Potato Balls...

　　Yunnan is one of the earliest provinces in China to cultivate potatoes. Wu Qijun of the Qing Dynasty wrote in his book *Plant Names and Realities Illustrated* that: "The potato is found in Guizhou and Yunnan. It has green stems and leaves, with varying densities, leaf sizes, and elongated shapes. The roots have many white tendrils, and beneath them grow round tubers. Pressing the root causes it to sprout many more tubers, similar to sweet potatoes. The longer the stem, the weaker and vine-like it becomes—this is likely the yellow yam, which can stave off hunger and serve as famine relief, making it a staple food reserve for the poor. In autumn, the roots become plump and clustered. The taste is similar to taro but sweeter, and like sweet potatoes but milder. It can be used in soups, stews, roasts—suitable for any method of cooking. Its leaf veins resemble those of pea shoots, and when served as an alcohol accompaniment, it is smooth and refined. The flowers are purple tubes with five petals, sometimes with green streaks, bearing a red center and a thread of green anthers, also quite delicate." The text also includes a simple sketch of the potato plant—that is, the potato. This is the first-ever sketch of a potato's shape in the history of potato cultivation in China. According to this record, by 1848 AD there were already different varieties, and farmers had adopted hilling and vine pressing techniques to increase yields. From this, we can infer that potatoes were introduced and cultivated in Yunnan before 1848 AD.

　　Potatoes are widely known as "yangyu" (foreign tubers) in Yunnan, and their introduction and cultivation have undoubtedly had a tremendous impact on the social and economic development of the entire province. In the barren hills and high-altitude cold mountainous regions where rice cultivation is unsuitable, and even corn struggles to grow, potatoes can still yield relatively high production. This has played a significant role in addressing the food security of the mountain population and in developing the mountain economy. Thanks to its superior natural environment and excellent ecological conditions suitable for potato growth, Yunnan has developed into a major potato-producing region in China.

　　Zhaotong in Yunnan belongs to one of the main potato-producing areas in northeastern Yunnan. With its cool climate and large diurnal temperature variations, it is highly conducive to starch accumulation in potatoes. Potato cultivation in Zhaotong began in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. The potatoes produced here are large, smooth-skinned, and high in starch content.

　　Since the introduction of potatoes in Zhaotong, they have not only helped “people survive through years of famine,” but have also gradually transformed the once dense forests and barren lands into agricultural zones. By 1990, the potato planting area in the entire region reached 1.2 million mu, yielding the equivalent of 188.63 million kilograms of staple grain. Zhaotong is one of the largest potato production bases in Yunnan. In 2004, the city's potato planting area reached approximately 1.7 million mu, with an annual output of over 1.5 million tons. Among these, virus-free potato cultivation covered 1.08 million mu, yielding more than 1 million tons. The abundant supply of premium raw materials has laid a solid foundation for expanding and strengthening the potato industry, enabling processing enterprises to achieve specialization in raw materials and diversification in products.

　　Zhaotong potatoes can be prepared in numerous ways, with easy-to-learn cooking methods. Common dishes include Ash-Dusted Snacks, Fried Potato Balls, Pan-Fried Potato Cakes, Stir-Fried Potato Strips, Fried Potato Chips, Steamed Potatoes with Rice Flour, Braised Potatoes, Grandma’s Potatoes, Cold Mixed Potatoes, Pickled Vegetable and Potato Soup, Potato Stewed Rice, Potato Balls...

　　Among dishes made with potatoes, the most common are shredded potatoes, sliced potatoes, and potato starch. Fried potato chips are crispy yet tender, fragrant and crumbly, and rich in vitamin C as well as minerals like iron and zinc, which help prevent anemia and promote children’s intellectual development. Potato starch is also known as a seasoning for potato dishes. In the food industry, it can also be processed into glucose, preserved fruits, syrups, and more.

　　Zhaotong Potatoes are a geographical indication certification trademark.