Must eat

Shoutout to Charles Mann’s 1493, which contains a remarkably insightful survey of potato biology and indigenous Andean cultivation. Highly recommend for anyone interested in the topic.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1493:_Uncovering_the_New_World_Columbus_Created

eat it

This is how the Incas and other Andes peoples would store their crops-- they'd mash it down in two stages by dint of their feet, and then the potatoes would store indefinitely.

Even better than bread and beer storage of grains, and potatoes are more nutritious than either, to boot.

if it went cold, reheat it

Ah yes, the freezing. My ancestors would be disappointed in me for leaving that out(!)

Not sure about the protein content of potatoes vs. grains, but IIRC, the vitamin & mineral content is generally superior. Potatoes are a complete superfood one can live on for long periods, again if I'm remembering correctly.

I suppose if I ever go back, I might try chicha again. Was really unimpressed the last couple times I tried it, heh.

The Inca empire lasted just about a century. They stood on the shoulders of great previous civilizations.