Potatoes are one of the most iconic ingredients in French cuisine today. But for centuries, the French refused to eat them.
In fact, potatoes were banned in France for nearly 20 years because people believed they could cause diseases like leprosy and plague. In this clip from Fishwives of Paris, Emily Monaco and Caroline Fazeli explore the strange history of how the humble potato went from feared outsider to beloved staple of French cooking.
The story involves a clever pharmacist, royal influence, and one of the most unusual marketing stunts in culinary history.
Watch the full episode to learn how the famous “potato heist” helped change French food forever.