New Foods from the Tropics

In the days before refrigeration and  high speed travel, few tropical foods were widely available in Europe.

Explorers and settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries learned to appreciate tropical fruits and vegetables from overseas. Because of this, the plants were deliberately spread to tropical Asia, Africa and America, using seeds and cuttings.

Bananas probably originated in southeast Asia. They were spread to Africa via Madagascar and from there, to the Mediterranean. Bananas were then introduced to the West Indies and South America by the Portuguese.

The Portuguese discovered the coconut in East Africa and transported it to Brazil and the Caribbean.

Many tropical fruits and vegetables moved from the Old World to the New World. These included yams, taro and African peppers. Yams were used to feed slaves in Brazil and the West Indies.

Peanuts, Brazil nuts, cashews and pineapples moved from the New World to the Old. Columbus discovered the pineapple on a visit to the West Indies.