Do You Know Which Produce Originated From The Americas?

The onion does not come from America.
 
Onion cultivation began in western Asia and northern African countries more than 5,000 years ago. They were introduced to Europe by the Greeks and Romans, first in Mediterranean countries and then spreading to the other countries of the continent.

The potato comes from the Americas.
 
It is believed that the potato was taken from ancient Peru to Spain in 1554 as a curiosity. Just a few years later, it was exported to other parts of Europe.

Corn does come from America.
 
Corn is another plant that originated in America. It is an ancient crop that was grown in Mexico and across Central America. This region was the center of the Aztec civilization, so it is a logical conclusion that corn was a success of this culture, and an important element of their diet. In the 16th century, it was introduced to Europe by the conquistadors.

The eggplant does not come from America.
 
The eggplant is a vegetable that originated in India, where it was grown 2,000 years before Christ. Eggplant was introduced in Spain by the Arabs, and then spread to Europe. There are records of it being grown in Mediterranean and Andalusian vegetable patches in the Early Middle Ages.

The cherimoya does come from America.
 
The cherimoya originated in the Andes, specifically in the area that today comprises countries like Peru and Ecuador, although some historians think the area would also have included Colombia and Chile.
 Spanish conquistadors called it manjar blanco (white delicacy) due to its sweetness, although the name it is now known by comes from the Quechua chirimuya (cold seeds), because it germinates at high altitude in the region.

The artichoke does not come from America.
 
The original species probably comes from eastern Africa, from where it spread all across the western Mediterranean and to other European countries with temperate climates. The plant was crossed with different species until reaching the creation of this vegetable species, which today is grown all over the world.
 
Ancient remains have been found that provide evidence of artichokes growing in ancient Greece, and it was a common food in classical Rome.

The tomato does come from America.
 
The tomato as a food was cultivated in southern Mexico from 500 BC. The Spaniards brought it from Mexico  in the 16th century and it was immediately cultivated in Europe but as a decorative plant.
 
It was soon grown in Europe, though at first just as an ornamental plant due to its attractive shape and color. There is evidence that it was being used as food in Spain by the 17th century. The earliest Italian recipes using tomatoes are known as Spanish style, just as in classic French cuisine.

The melon does not come from America.
 
There are two theories about the origin of the melon: some experts believe that it comes from southern Asia, while others think it originated in Africa. In fact, there are depictions of this fruit in Egyptian tombs dating back 4,400 years. It reached Spain via the trade routes that arrived at the port of Carthago Nova (modern-day Cartagena) in the centuries during which the Iberian Peninsula was under Roman rule.

The bell pepper does come from America.
 
Bell peppers were domesticated around 6,000 years ago by the original civilizations of Mesoamerica. Originally they had a very spicy flavor, and when first used in food they were dried and ground, like a spice. When the first Spaniards occupied Mexico, there were already many varieties domesticated and grown by the native population.
 
In 1493, on the Caribbean islands, Christopher Columbus and his companions were the first Europeans to eat paprika. During the same voyage, Columbus imported the first examples of bell peppers to introduce to Spain and the entire continent of Europe.

Cacao does come from America.
 
Although not precisely a plant that is grown today in Spain, cacao deserves a special mention.
 
Cocoa travels from Mexico to the Old Continent and it is given to the emperor to try in Toledo. He orders it to be kept in the jewelery box and from there it is sent as a gift to other European courts and to Rome.