Freeze drying potatoes in the Andes
by James Brunker
Title
Freeze drying potatoes in the Andes
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Varieties of potatoes spread out on the ground make an attractive carpet in the Andes near La Paz, Bolivia. This is done to make chuno or freeze dried potatoes, a technique that has been used since ancient times in the central Andes to preserve potatoes for storage. The tubers are left outside in the middle of the winter dry season after harvest for 2-3 weeks. The combination of very strong high altitude sun, low humidity and bitterly cold nights gradually removes all moisture from the potatoes, meaning they can be stored for years. This image was taken at La Cumbre, the high pass where a main road crosses the Andes above La Paz and a popular area for making chuno. The plains near the pass have an altitude of around 4600m / 15,100ft and are ideal for the purpose
Potatoes are native to the central Andes and Lake Titicaca area of Peru and Bolivia and were domesticated thousands of years ago. Over 4000 different types have been recorded in the region, they have long been an important staple for the people of the Andes, including the Incas and earlier civilisations.
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
February 8th, 2022
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