By the time the first Europeans arrived in the New World, farmers there were harvesting more than a hundred kinds of edible plants-potatoes, tomatoes, sunflowers, eggplants, avocados, sweet potatoes, peanuts, cashews, pineapples, papaya, guava, yams, manioc {or cassava}, pumpkins, vanilla, a whole slew of beans and squashes, four types of chili peppers, and chocolate, among rather a lot else-not a bad haul. It has been estimated that 60 percent of all the crops grown in the world today originated in the Americas.
When the first Europeans reached the Americas, they encountered a diverse array of agricultural practices. Indigenous farmers were already growing over a hundred types of edible plants, including staples like potatoes, tomatoes, and corn, as well as various fruits and nuts. This remarkable range of crops illustrates the advanced agricultural knowledge present in the New World prior to European colonization.
Today, it is estimated that a significant portion, around 60 percent, of global crops can trace their origins back to the Americas. This highlights the profound impact of indigenous agriculture on the world’s food systems and underscores the importance of the crops that were cultivated long before European settlers arrived. The contributions of these native plants have shaped diets and agricultural practices globally, showcasing the richness of the Americas' agricultural heritage.
