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RTÉ News
a day ago
- Science
- RTÉ News
7 things you probably didn't know about the humble spud
Analysis: some lesser-known biological, cultural and scientific facts about the vegetable most closely associated with this island (1) The South America connection The Incas of South America cultivated around 250 different species of potato. Today, in most parts of the world, we cultivate just one species – Solanum tuberosum - and it is the third most consumed food crop in the world, after rice and wheat, with over 300 million metric tons being produced globally every year. In South America, over 4,000 different varieties of potato are grown and they are very well adapted to their native region. Many of the most important potato pests and diseases are also native to South America. The Potato Cyst Nematodes and the late blight causal agent Phytophthora infestans are two of the most significant threats to potato production and global food security to originate in South America. The good news is that many potato varieties in South America show some resistance to these pests and diseases so are potential sources of genetic resistance which can be used for breeding new resistant varieties. (2) Spuds and sex Potato is one of the most important vegetatively propagated crops in the world. New plants are usually grown from a potato tuber (or piece of one) called a "seed potato". They are not seeds at all, of course, as they are not the product of sexual reproduction. New plants grown from these "seeds" are genetically identical to the parent plant. This means that potato varieties, such as Golden Wonder and Kerr's Pink, can be maintained in the absence of genetic diversity. From RTÉ Radio 1's Mooney Goes Wild, Eanna ni Lamhna pays homage to the variety of Irish potatoes Potatoes do produce real seeds via their flowers and varieties can produce berries that contain hundreds of seeds. As these real seeds are the product of sexual reproduction, they are not genetically identical to the parent plant so can be a potential source of genetic variation for potato breeding programmes. These real seeds are very important for breeding new potato varieties with greater resistance to a changing climate as well as novel pests and diseases. (3) Ireland and the potato: it's complicated No other food or ingredient symbolises the complexities of Irish food culture more than the potato. As a New World introduction, the ways and means of how it came to Ireland remain unclear with historical realties blurred by romanticised tales and myths of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Spanish Armada (stories claim that the ships' stocks of potatoes were washed up onto Irish stores). The potato had arrived in Ireland by the first decade of the 17th century (if not before) and was initially cultivated as a garden exotic with recipes from Irish country houses revealing its use in ingredient-rich and flavour-intense potato pies. With time, the potato leapt the garden wall becoming a crop of the fields. By the early 19th century, it was the main dietary staple of the rural poor displacing older carbohydrates like oats. The potato has given Ireland traditional, festive and regional dishes like boxty dishes and potato-oaten and potato-apple cakes. From RTÉ Radio 1's CountryWide, Suzanne Campbell reports on how the DNA testing of potatoes being labelled and sold in Donegal as Queens which were in fact a different variety At best, it is the symbol of a simple Irish approach to cooking, but at worst, it is also the symbol of a debased and insecure food system of 19th century Ireland. In recent times, the potato's standing as Ireland's main dietary carbohydrate has been challenged by increased consumption of pasta and rice, especially amongst younger generations. (4) The floury spud The Irish palate favours dry "mealy" potatoes above varieties with waxy-textured flesh and the most popular potatoes here are those with soft and floury texture. In the pre-Famine period, varieties like the Irish Apple commanded good prices above the prevalent and poor quality Lumper potato that dominated the diet of the rural poor. In the post-Famine period, the cultivation of a new variety, the Champion (1862) increased rapidly in part because of its floury texture and nutty aroma and it remained Ireland's most popular potato until into the 1930s. From RTÉ Lyric FM, History On A Plate looks at the life and times of the Irish potato Today, the main commercial varieties like the Rooster and Kerr's Pink can be cooked in a variety of ways. The continued appeal of these floury varieties is a reminder that we assigned commercial, economic and culinary importance to varieties that worked well with other traditional staples like butter, milk and cream. (5) A potato party The complimentary relationship between floury potatoes and dairy produce gave rise to a number of traditional potatoes dishes. These included colcannon (mashed potatoes with butter, milk/cream, cabbage or kale), champ (mashed potatoes with butter, milk/cream, spring onions, or nettles or peas) and poundies (plain mashed potatoes with butter, milk or cream). The socio-economic realties of pre-Famine Ireland made access to expensive floury-potato varieties and butter and cream beyond the means of the rural poor. However, money was spent or goods exchanged in accessing these items to make rich mashed dishes for festive and celebration days and colcannon and champ were made for St Brigid's Day and Hallowe'en. At Hallowe'en, colcannon or champ was the main festive meal and it was also used in the ritual performances of young women in divining their future marriage and love affairs. From RTÉ Archives, the Irish Farmers Association sent 500 tonnes of potatoes to Ethiopia in 1984 and Irish potatoes are now being grown there, reports Michael Lally for RTÉ News (6) The genetics of the spud The most complete potato genome sequence to date has just been published by a group of scientists in Holland. The implication for the research community and, ultimately, the consumer is huge. What the sequence allows us to do is to use genetic data to help us to continue to improve the potato plant using tools that are much faster than traditional breeding methods, tools such as genetic engineering or more recently genome editing. No nation can afford to be complacent when it comes the security of food as economic and climate-based factors can cause massive disturbances to the sector. We know that the potato can address many of the food security issues under threat from growing urbanisation, the emergence of novel pathogens, changing climates, increasing populations, land and water use. The original home of the potato is the Americas and the wild potato here is a hardy species (more than 155 wild species are found). The ability of the wild potato to thrive in varied ecosystems and its ability to resist a number of diseases gives us hope that important disease-resistant genes can be found in these wild relatives. This repository is also an excellent source for future genes for the improvement of our domestic varieties, whether by traditional breeding methods or by utilising the more recent biotech tools. (7) The future of cooking spuds While potatoes have been cooked as a staple in Irish households for centuries, they are today at the forefront of application of very novel advanced food processing technologies. A process called Pulsed Electric Field treatment involves passing electric fields through food to inactivate bacteria and modify cellular structure and is being applied to create crisps and chips. This gives potatoes improved cutting properties and greatly reduced oil uptake during cooking, giving healthier products with great textures. In addition, there has been great interest in the development of 3D printed snacks and food products that are based on the ability of potato starch to produce interesting structures and shapes.
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Mysterious Scottish beach with tales of ghosts, mermaids and centuries-old shipwrecks
Sandwood Bay, one of Scotland's most remote beaches, is a four-mile walk through the Highlands and is known for its pink sands On the wild northwest coast of the Scottish Highlands lies Sandwood Bay, one of the most remote and intriguing beaches in the country. Reached only by a four-mile walk from the nearest road, the journey may be long, but it rewards visitors with striking scenery, rich history and some of Scotland's spookiest legends. Sandwood Bay in Sutherland is not just known for its sweeping pink sands, dramatic sea cliffs and crashing waves. It is also the site of centuries-old shipwrecks, eerie ghost sightings and one of the country's most curious mermaid encounters. Situated just south of the notoriously treacherous Cape Wrath, the bay has claimed many lives over the years, according to Hidden Scotland. Before the lighthouse at Cape Wrath was built in 1828, the area was a graveyard for passing ships, from Spanish Armada galleons to Viking longboats and merchant vessels, many were lost to the brutal tides and storms. Their remains now lie buried beneath the sand and sea. This long history of tragedy has given rise to a number of chilling ghost stories. One of the most famous is that of a phantom sailor who is said to walk the beach at night. Dressed in a coat with brass buttons, heavy boots and a peaked cap, the sailor has been spotted pacing around a ruined stone bothy near the beach. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps crunching outside, knocking at windows, and even glimpsing a bearded face peering through the glass, only to find nothing there when they step outside. According to website JA Hernandez, in the 1920s, Scottish author Seton Gordon noted several submerged wrecks visible beneath the surface during his walks along the bay. Some believe one of these may have been a Spanish ship rumoured to be carrying gold. According to local lore, the ghostly image of a galleon can sometimes be seen glowing in the distance, never quite reaching the shore. But it's not just ghostly sailors said to haunt the area. In 1900, a local crofter named Sandy Gunn was walking with his dog along the beach when the animal suddenly became terrified. Looking around, Gunn spotted what he first thought was a large seal. On closer inspection, he described a seven-foot-long creature with golden hair and piercing green-blue eyes, a mermaid. Despite widespread scepticism, Gunn never once changed his story over the following 40 years. Adding to its mystery, the name Sandwood comes from the Norse word 'Sandvatn' meaning sandy loch, hinting at Viking connections. Historians believe Norse longboats were once dragged across the bay into Sandwood Loch. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The surrounding area is rich in history, with traces of Pictish settlements and evidence of life before the Highland Clearances in the 1800s, when local communities were forced off the land to make way for sheep farming. Today, Sandwood Bay is managed by the John Muir Trust, a conservation charity working to protect its fragile habitats. The bay's surroundings are home to rare species including otters, mountain hares, peregrine falcons and even sea eagles. In summer, the dunes and machair, a flower-rich grassland found only in parts of Scotland and Ireland, come alive with over 220 wildflower species and eight kinds of bumblebee, including the rare great yellow, according to the North Coast 500 website. Despite its eerie past, Sandwood Bay continues to draw visitors with its untouched beauty, wildlife and stories passed down through generations.
NZ Herald
28-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Six incredible food tours in Europe, from Netherlands to Northern Ireland
WHISKEY GALORE – Northern Ireland Amid the green fields on Northern Ireland's County Antrim coast near the world-famous Giant's Causeway, where the winds blow and the water is clean and pure, is a small town that is home to Old Bushmills, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, established in 1608. Take a tour to learn more about the whiskey-making process - one that takes malted barley, grinds it up into a mash with water and then distils it before putting it in oak casks to mature. The tour finishes with the best bit – a taste test in the distillery bar. No Northern Ireland whiskey experience is complete without a visit to a local pub or two, and well worth a visit is the Bushmills Inn, where you can enjoy a glass of 25-year-old Bushmills Malt from the inn's private cask by the cosy glow of an open peat fire. THE BIG CHEESE – Italy With its fine local produce of hams, handmade pastas and balsamic vinegars, the Italian province of Emilia Romagna has a rich culinary tradition. But its most famous product is undoubtedly Parmigiano Reggiano, a hard, granular cheese with a rich, nutty and slightly salty flavour. Better known as parmesan cheese, this 'King of Italian cheeses' has been in existence for around 700 years and is so valuable that it was once accepted as currency. Dotting the hills and valleys around Parma are the dairies and cheese houses where the prized wheels of cheese are produced using a method little changed over the centuries. The Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese Consortium conducts visits and guided tours to the region's cheese-making dairies where you will discover what makes Parmigiano Reggiano so special, including its long and careful aging process of up to 24 months or more. THE SPIRIT OF NORMANDY – France 160 Just over an hour's drive from Paris is Normandy's Pays d'Auge region – a picturesque landscape of small villages, rolling meadows, russet-coloured apple orchards and half-timbered farmsteads. This is where highly-prized apple-based drinks such as robust ciders and especially Calvados are produced. This fiery apple brandy takes its name from a ship that sailed in the ill-fated Spanish Armada of 1588, and has been distilled with typical French passion for more than 400 years. To learn more, enjoy a tour at Manoir d'Apreval, a family-owned estate surrounded by a lovely apple orchard in the village of Pennedepie (10km east of Deauville) that creates a line of fine Calvados and ciders made in small presses from 17 varieties of apples. Double distillation, in addition to the apples originating in the Pays d' Auge region are requirements for Calvados to achieve the AOC label (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée), the highest honour that can be bestowed on a French product. PINCHOS TIME IN LA RIOJA - Spain Right in the heart of La Rioja's capital city of Logrono s Calle del Laurel, famous for some of northern Spain's finest pinchos bars. Pinchos (also called pintxos) are the Basque region's take on tapas, basically snack-size portions of food, from simple tortilla Espanola (potato omelette) or anchovies on bread, to more elaborate miniature creations of haute cuisine. They are usually cheap, and when paired with a glass of local red wine, usually cost only a few euros. For an expert's view and to learn more about the marriage of Rioja wines and pinchos, book a guided tour to sample Rioja and pinchos pairings in a variety of bars with Jose Berger, otherwise known as the Wine Educator. 'Going out for pinchos is a great social activity, and I love nothing more than getting a group of friends together and visiting some favourite spots,' says José. ALL BEERS GREAT AND SMALL – England Brewing beer in the English county of Yorkshire has a long and distinguished heritage. For a fascinating insight into the workings of a traditional brewery, visit Masham's Theakston Brewery established in 1827. There's plenty to see and do including the working cooperage, where one of the country's last remaining coopers still handcrafts barrels using traditional tools. Guided tours of the brewery are available, after which you can sample the fine range of beers in the brewery tap. Try the legendary dark and rich Theakston's Old Peculier served from wooden casks (also available as an alcohol free 0.0% version called Nowt Peculier), or one of the newer creations like coffee flavoured Barista Stout or Hairy Bikers Zesty IPA. Also of interest to the beer aficionado is the rival Black Sheep Brewery next door who also offer brewery tours.
Arab News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
How will Saudis in future view the current era of the Kingdom?
Thomas Hobbes, the English philosopher born in 1588, found himself in a world full of turmoil — a period when war seemed on the horizon and doubt was the only truth. Hobbes' vision of that era was deeply shaped by these difficult circumstances, and his outlook serves as a counterpoint to the positive change taking place in Saudi Arabia today — not as a time of fear and uncertainty, but as an era of optimism, progress, and transformative change. His work, particularly articulated in 'Leviathan,' reflects a pervasive sense of dread that permeated his philosophy. He famously remarked, sarcastically, about his life, suggesting that his birth was a direct result of his mother's panic at the news of the Spanish Armada sailing toward England, saying: 'Fear and I were born twins together.' This perspective mirrors the tumultuous times Hobbes lived through and invites reflection on how varying circumstances — whether favorable or adverse — shape individuals' perceptions of the world around them. Some might argue that the profound connection between philosophy and the historical context in which it develops is sometimes overlooked, whether that context is characterized by conflict or uncertainty. Unfortunately, while Hobbesian pessimism persists in many parts of our Arab world, those living in Saudi Arabia are having the opposite experience, defined by boundless optimism and unprecedented opportunity. One might ask: how will young Saudis perceive the Kingdom in the coming years? As the progress of Vision 2030 suggests, they may one day reflect on these years as a time when 'hopes and opportunities exploded' — a remarkable period when the nation wholeheartedly embraced innovation, progress and global engagement. Living through this era has profoundly shaped the worldview of those in the Kingdom, fostering a connection to critical issues such as artificial intelligence, technology, the environment, tourism, sport, business and more. Countries like the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia emerge as unparalleled beacons of hope, energy, and ambition, illuminating a path forward. Nine years after its launch, Saudi Vision 2030 has fostered a profound sense of nationalism and hope for a brighter future among the Saudi people while igniting the energy, aspirations, and optimism of the Kingdom's youth. Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad Under the bold and visionary leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom has embarked on an extraordinary journey toward prosperity, progress, innovation and empowerment. This new generation — inspired by the principles of Vision 2030 — is eager to unlock the country's full potential and is passionately committed to spearheading change. In a region that has too often, disappointingly, been perceived as constrained by stagnation or overshadowed by turmoil, the people of Saudi Arabia are challenging outdated norms. Nine years after its launch, Saudi Vision 2030 has fostered a profound sense of nationalism and hope for a brighter future among the Saudi people while igniting the energy, aspirations, and optimism of the Kingdom's youth. Moreover, this transformative vision has resonated deeply with the approximately 15 million non-Saudis living in the Kingdom, uniting them with their Saudi counterparts in a shared commitment to building a prosperous and dynamic future. At the same time, it has inspired foreign residents to transfer the Kingdom's vison to their own country. While initial skepticism was inevitable, the progress achieved thus far underscores the vision's potential to serve as a transformative force in the region. As the Kingdom continues to evolve, it stands as an example of the power of bold leadership, innovative thinking and collective determination in shaping a more prosperous and dynamic future. Ultimately, the crown prince's leadership is a beacon of inspiration, reminding us that hope and determination have the power to transform nations and the very essence of the human spirit, which any nation needs to build a community that will ignite and inspire. • Nasser bin Hamed Al-Ahmad is a political researcher and writer with more than seven years' experience in political media. He specializes in analyzing political trends in the MENA region and the US. X: @nasseralahmad3
