Where do the varieties of potatoes originate?

The varieties of potatoes we know and love today originate from the Andes region of South America, specifically from the Peru-Bolivia region.

This area is considered the center of origin and diversity for potatoes, where wild potatoes still grow today. Over thousands of years, indigenous cultures in the Andes domesticated and cultivated potatoes, developing a wide range of varieties adapted to different environments and climates.

It's important to note that while the wild ancestors of our modern potatoes are native to the Andes, the vast majority of potato varieties we consume today are the result of selective breeding and genetic modification over centuries, sometimes involving crossing with wild species. This has led to a huge diversity in potato varieties, each with its own unique characteristics in terms of flavor, texture, color, and nutritional content.