Tag

Potatoes

All articles tagged with #potatoes

Spudnik-1: Orbiting Potato Mistaken for Tentacled Alien
science12 days ago

Spudnik-1: Orbiting Potato Mistaken for Tentacled Alien

An apparently purple lifeform photographed on the ISS by NASA astronaut Don Pettit was revealed to be a purple potato sprouting in a hydroponic setup, with the so-called tentacles being sprouts and a Velcro patch keeping the potato in place. Nicknamed Spudnik-1, the potato highlights Pettit’s space gardening hobby, which has produced several crops in orbit; potatoes have been grown in space since 1995, though growth in microgravity tends to be slower.

Spudnik-1: Internet Freaks Out Over an Off-World Potato
science13 days ago

Spudnik-1: Internet Freaks Out Over an Off-World Potato

NASA astronaut Don Pettit's photo of an egg-shaped potato sprouting on the International Space Station — nicknamed Spudnik-1 — sparked online fear, as many netizens mistook the tentacle-like sprouts and white cilia for an alien egg. Pettit says the tuber was part of a space-garden experiment during Expedition 72 (2024–25); in microgravity roots can grow in all directions, and the white filaments were Velcro to keep them from floating away. The potato's fate isn’t known, but the project showcases potatoes as a practical crop for growing food off Earth.

Spudnik on the ISS: space garden potato steals the show
science16 days ago

Spudnik on the ISS: space garden potato steals the show

NASA astronaut Don Pettit posted a Expedition 72 photo of a bizarre tentacled object on the International Space Station; it’s actually an early purple potato nicknamed ‘Spudnik’ tied to a grow-light terrarium with Velcro. Pettit explained potatoes were grown in space as part of his off-duty gardening, noting roots behave differently in microgravity, while fans joked “kill it with fire.” The story highlights ongoing space agriculture efforts aboard the ISS and the station’s role as a long-running international lab.

Berlin's bumper potato harvest sparks citywide free-spud giveaway
world2 months ago

Berlin's bumper potato harvest sparks citywide free-spud giveaway

Germany’s record potato harvest led to a citywide free-potato giveaway in Berlin, with around 4,000 tonnes redirected from landfill to residents, soup kitchens, shelters, schools and even the zoo; 174 distribution points opened, including shipments to Ukraine, as the event—organized with Ecosia and a Berlin newspaper—shows both the abundance of the crop and tensions in food markets, while sparking new potato recipes and debates over surplus farming.

Berlin bags free potatoes as Germany wrestles with bumper harvest
world2 months ago

Berlin bags free potatoes as Germany wrestles with bumper harvest

After a bumper national potato harvest, a Saxony farm distributes millions of potatoes for free to food banks, schools and churches, with Berlin receiving about 500,000 kg to help prevent waste; the effort, dubbed the “great potato rescue,” has mixed reactions—praised for reducing waste but criticized by some farmers for market disruption—and funding is expected to dry up later this year.

Frequent French Fry Consumption Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk
health8 months ago

Frequent French Fry Consumption Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk

A new study suggests that while potatoes are generally healthy, French fries pose a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes due to their preparation involving frying and added salt. The study emphasizes that cooking methods significantly impact the healthfulness of potatoes, with baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes being healthier options. Potatoes are nutritious, providing fiber, vitamins, and minerals, but their health benefits can be diminished by unhealthy preparation and consumption habits. To enjoy potatoes healthily, it's recommended to cook them at home, leave the skin on, control portion sizes, and consider cooling cooked potatoes to increase resistant starch content.

French Fries Linked to Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk
health8 months ago

French Fries Linked to Increased Type 2 Diabetes Risk

A Harvard study found that eating French fries is linked to a 20% increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, unlike other potato preparations like baking or boiling. The study emphasizes that how food is prepared is as important as what is eaten, with deep-frying being particularly harmful. Replacing French fries with whole grains can reduce diabetes risk by 19%, highlighting the importance of cooking methods and food choices in health outcomes.