Did you know that some of the world’s most beloved foods have surprising origins? In fact, many American foods are not American at all. Take the hamburger, for example! This delicious beef sandwich sold all over the US came from Hamburger, Germany.
The origins of most of the products we can find in average supermarkets can also surprise us. Figures show that 70% of the fruits and vegetables we buy today were grown in regions different that the areas where they are cultivated now.
Food history and culinary globalization are simply mind-blowing. Believe it or not, foodies, some dishes we adore today were considered evil, while others were created out of desperation. Keep reading to find out!
12 French Fries Are Actually Belgian (But Potatoes Come From South America)
Despite its name, the French fry has nothing to do with France and its weird delicacies. Experts claim that French fries came from Belgium and their origins can be traced back to the early 17th century. We should mention, though, that the potato was first cultivated in Peru and Bolivia (between 8000 and 5000 BC). Now the potato is one of the most important food crops, after rice, wheat, and corn.
11 The Dark History Of Fanta
There’s no doubt that Coca-Cola is one of the most powerful companies across the globe. The soft drink Fanta is their second most iconic drink. Nevertheless, we should mention that Fanta has a dark history. It was invented in Nazi Germany during WWII and became a mark of nationalistic pride. After the war, The Coca-Cola Company regained control of the product, including its profits!
10 Tomatoes Are Native To The Americas (And Colonists Thought They Were Poisonous)
Tomatoes are essential products in our cuisine. Yet, we should know that tomatoes are native to the Americas. It was the Aztecs who cultivated tomatoes around 700 AD. According to Business Insider, during the Columbian Exchange in the 15th and 16th century, tomatoes were introduced to the Old World. Funnily enough, tomatoes were considered evil and were simply appreciated for their ornamental value.
9 Vanilla Is A Native Of Mesoamerica
Do you like orchids? Well, then you should know that Flat-Leaved Vanilla is the only orchid used for food production. Interestingly, vanilla orchids came from Mesoamerica. Flat-leaved vanilla is a very picky plant as it can grow only 10-20 degrees north or south of the equator. No surprise it’s the second-most-expensive spice after saffron.
8 From Beans To Bars | Cocoa Was A Popular Crop In South America
The journey of chocolate from beans to bar is incredible. Did you know that the cacao tree is also native to the Americas? Cocoa beans were used by many cultures, including the Maya and the Olmec. In the 16th century, cocoa reached Spain and slowly seduced the whole of Europe. Now we are lucky to have a wide variety of chocolate treats.
7 Pumpkins And Corn - Two American Favorites - Come From Central America
Are you a fan of pumpkin and corn chowder? Well, there’s no doubt that corn is one of the most fundamental crops around the world. Yet, we should remember that the origins of corn or maize can be traced back to Mexico more than 8,000 years ago. Pumpkins, on the other hand, originated in the Americas as well. Interestingly, in a cave in Mexico, experts found 10,000-year-old pumpkin seeds.
6 Our Favorite Doughnuts Come From Ancient Greece
Doughnuts chains are highly popular in the US. Did you know, though, that the history of doughnuts goes back centuries? In ancient Greece and the Arab world, for instance, fried pastry dough was highly popular. In the 19th century, doughnuts became a delicacy in the Netherlands; as the center of the cake wouldn’t cook as fast as the outside, people just stuffed it with fruits or cream.
5 As American As An Apple Pie? Well, Apples Were Brought To North America From Europe
We all know the saying 'as American as apple pie.' But what does that mean? Apples are native to Europe and Central Asia. To be more precise, the wild apple originated in Kazakhstan, as reported by National Geographic. Interestingly, the fruit was brought to America in the 17th century to brew cider. The actual apple pie, on the other hand, was introduced by the British.
4 Macadamia Nuts: The Only Crop From Australia
Though Australia's wildlife is impressive, the truth is that Australia is the least crop-diverse region in the world, as reported by the Global Crop Trust. The only native crop is the macadamia nut, an indigenous tree cultivated for thousands of years. Now macadamia trees are grown in different parts of the world, so you can find macadamia in most supermarkets.
3 Coffee Lovers, Coffee Is Not Italian! Coffee Beans Come From Eastern Africa
Though many people associate coffee with Italy, the truth is that the coffee plant is native to Eastern Africa, particularly Ethiopia, Sudan, and Kenya. Interestingly, coffee became popular in the Islamic world and Turkish coffee is one of the oldest recipes to brew coffee. That said, Italian espresso, which originated in the 1900s, is one of the most popular hot drinks in the Western world. Now there are different variations, including Americano, Cappuccino, and Latte.
2 Believe It Or Not, Peaches And Cucumbers Come From Asia
Did you know that cucumbers and peaches trace their origins back to Asia? Cucumbers originated in India and were introduced to Europe by the Ancient Greeks. Peaches, on the other hand, were introduced to Europe from Persia. That said, studies suggest that peaches were originally cultivated in China, and were brought to the Americas in the 16th century.
1 Baking Lovers, Wheat Is From Turkey!
Wheat is the most widely grown crop across the globe, as per the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. In fact, wheat is grown on more land than any other crop. It provides food calories for billions of people and it’s the second most important crop in the developing world after rice. We should note that the history of wheat can be traced back to Turkey 10,000 years ago.