The Columbian Exchange
What the Americas gave the world's kitchens after 1492.
Before 1492 there were no chillies in India, no tomatoes in Italy, no potatoes in Ireland, and no chocolate anywhere outside Mesoamerica. Within two centuries these American crops had reshaped the diets, and the populations, of every continent.
The potato alone is credited with a quarter of Europe's population growth between 1700 and 1900. Maize and cassava became staples across Africa. This exhibition gathers the travellers.
NL·0133 · Poaceae
Maize
Zea mays
NL·0163 · Solanaceae
Potato
Solanum tuberosum
NL·0162 · Solanaceae
Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum
NL·0160 · Solanaceae
Chilli pepper
Capsicum annuum
NL·0096 · Malvaceae
Cacao
Theobroma cacao
NL·0115 · Orchidaceae
Vanilla orchid
Vanilla planifolia
NL·0059 · Euphorbiaceae
Cassava
Manihot esculenta
NL·0087 · Lauraceae
Avocado
Persea americana
NL·0038 · Bromeliaceae
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
NL·0048 · Convolvulaceae
Sweet potato
Ipomoea batatas
NL·0046 · Caricaceae
Papaya
Carica papaya
NL·0005 · Anacardiaceae
Cashew
Anacardium occidentale
NL·0003 · Amaranthaceae
Quinoa
Chenopodium quinoa
NL·0043 · Cactaceae
Prickly pear
Opuntia ficus-indica
NL·0117 · Passifloraceae
Passion fruit
Passiflora edulis