[thaumasiotes]

> Cultures would reject them [potatoes] until a famine struck. Then the ruler would eat them out of necessity. Then everyone would eat them.

I'd love to read more about this. Can you point me to a particular episode? The ruler is pretty much the last person I'd expect to eat something out of necessity.

[imarg]

There is an interesting story (that probably is just a myth) of how potatoes were introduced in Greece.

The then head of state, Kapodistrias:

"Having ordered a shipment of potatoes, at first he ordered that they be offered to anyone interested. However the potatoes were met with indifference by the population and the whole scheme seemed to be failing. Therefore Kapodistrias, knowing of the contemporary Greek attitudes, ordered that the whole shipment of potatoes be unloaded in public display on the docks of Nafplion, and placed with severe-looking guards guarding it. Soon, rumours circulated that for the potatoes to be so well guarded they had to be of great importance. People would gather to look at the so-important potatoes and soon some tried to steal them. The guards had been ordered in advance to turn a blind eye to such behaviour, and soon the potatoes had all been "stolen" and Kapodistrias' plan to introduce them to Greece had succeeded."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ioannis_Kapodistrias#Administra... (2nd paragraph)

[Xylakant]

They tell a similar version about prussia (germany). Friedrich der Große would have his soldiers guard his potato fields and turn a blind eye to peasants stealing them. So yes, probably a myth, but indeed a nice one.

[farnsworth]

Maybe not out of necessity for the ruler, but to convince the people to eat them out of necessity. (I'm just guessing, would also be interested in learning more.)