Along with homemade food at home,we often have biriyani,noodles,pasta,pizza or burgers. Most of them were absent from the diet of our grand grand parents menu. We now know that biriyani originates from Persia ( now Iran ) , noodles from China, pizza from Italy and burgers from Germany. But how many of us know that most of the fruits and vegetables we eat are from different countries. Let’s look at where our most familiar fruits and vegetables originated and when they spread from their source.
Here’s a list of 20 fruits and 20 vegetables, along with their origins and when they spread from their original locations:
Fruits
1. Apple
Origin: Central Asia (Kazakhstan)
Spread: Spread to Europe by the Romans and to North America by European colonists in the 17th century.
2. Banana
Origin: Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines)
Spread: Cultivated in Southeast Asia and spread to Africa, the Middle East, and India by 1000 BC, and to the Americas via European colonists in the 16th century.
3. Orange
Origin: Southeast Asia (China, India)
Spread: Spread to the Middle East and Europe via trade routes by the 1st century AD, introduced to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
4. Grapes
Origin: Near East (modern-day Turkey, Georgia)
Spread: Cultivated in the Middle East and spread to Europe by the Greeks and Romans, and later to the Americas.
5. Mango
Origin: South Asia (India, Myanmar)
Spread: Spread throughout Southeast Asia by 4th century BC, introduced to Africa and the Americas by European colonists.
6. Pineapple
Origin: South America (Paraguay, Brazil)
Spread: Cultivated by the indigenous people of South America, spread to the Caribbean and Central America, and introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
7. Strawberry
Origin: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, North America)
Spread: Cultivated by the Romans, hybridized varieties developed in Europe in the 18th century, spread to the Americas.
8. Watermelon
Origin: Northeastern Africa (modern-day Sudan)
Spread: Cultivated in Egypt around 2000 BC, spread to the Mediterranean region, Europe, and later to the Americas.
9. Peach
Origin: Northwest China
Spread: Spread to Persia (Iran) and then to Europe via trade routes around the 1st century AD, introduced to the Americas by Spanish colonists in the 16th century.
10. Cherry
Origin: Europe and Western Asia (likely around the Caspian Sea)
Spread: Cultivated by the Romans and spread throughout Europe and later to the Americas.
11. Pear
Origin: Eastern Europe and Western Asia
Spread: Cultivated in ancient Greece and Rome, spread to Europe and later to the Americas.
12. Papaya
Origin: Southern Mexico and Central America
Spread: Cultivated by indigenous peoples, spread to the Caribbean and introduced to Asia and Africa by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 16th century.
13. Plum
Origin: Europe, Caucasus, and Asia Minor
Spread: Cultivated by the Romans, spread throughout Europe and later to the Americas.
14. Pomegranate
Origin: Iran and Northern India
Spread: Cultivated in ancient Persia and Egypt, spread to the Mediterranean, Europe, and the Americas.
15. Kiwi
Origin: China
Spread: Brought to New Zealand in the early 20th century, where it was commercialized and spread globally.
16. Avocado
Origin: Central America (southern Mexico)
Spread: Cultivated by the Aztecs, introduced to Europe and the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 16th century.
17. Coconut
Origin: Indo-Pacific region (likely Malaysia and Indonesia)
Spread: Spread to India, Africa, and the Americas via ocean currents and human trade routes.
18. Fig
Origin: Western Asia (around modern-day Turkey)
Spread: Cultivated in ancient Egypt, spread to Greece, Rome, and throughout the Mediterranean and later to the Americas.
19. Guava
Origin: Central America and the Caribbean
Spread: Cultivated by indigenous peoples, spread to the tropics worldwide via European and Asian traders.
20. Blueberry
Origin: North America
Spread: Cultivated by Native Americans and commercialized in the 20th century, spreading globally.
These fruits and vegetables have rich histories that trace back to ancient civilizations and spread across the world through trade, exploration, and colonization.
Vegetables:
1. Tomato
Origin: Western South America, specifically the Andean region (modern-day Peru, Ecuador, and northern Chile).
Spread: Domesticated in Mexico, spread to Europe in the 16th century after Spanish colonization, and then globally.
2. Potato
Origin: Andes Mountains in South America (modern-day Peru and northwest Bolivia).
Spread: Introduced to Europe in the 16th century by Spanish explorers and spread throughout Europe and the world.
3. Carrot
Origin: Persia (modern-day Iran and Afghanistan).
Spread: Domesticated in the 10th century, spread to Europe by the 12th century, and later to the rest of the world.
4. Cabbage
Origin: Europe, likely the Mediterranean region.
Spread: Cultivated by the Greeks and Romans, spread throughout Europe, and later introduced to the Americas.
5. Spinach
Origin: Ancient Persia (modern-day Iran).
Spread: Spread to China by the 7th century and to Europe in the 9th century by the Moors.
6. Onion
Origin: Central Asia, particularly modern-day Iran and Pakistan.
Spread: Cultivated in ancient Egypt and spread to Europe and Asia.
7. Capsicum
Origin: Central and South America.
Spread: Spread to Europe in the 16th century through Spanish and Portuguese explorers and then globally.
8. Lettuce
Origin: Mediterranean region.
Spread: Cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
9. Pumpkin
Origin: Central America and Mexico.
Spread: Cultivated by Native Americans, introduced to Europe after the Columbian Exchange.
10. Eggplant
Origin: India and Southeast Asia.
Spread: Introduced to the Mediterranean and Middle East through trade routes in the early medieval period, spread to Europe by the 15th century.
11. Broccoli
Origin: Mediterranean region (likely Italy)
Spread: Bred from wild cabbage in Italy, it spread to other parts of Europe in the 16th century.
12. Cauliflower
Origin: Mediterranean region (likely Cyprus)
Spread: Cultivated in Italy and spread to France and England in the 16th century.
13. Peas
Origin: Mediterranean basin and the Near East
Spread: Spread to Europe, India, and China by 2000 BC.
14. Sweet Potato
Origin: Central and South America
Spread: Spread throughout the Americas before being introduced to Europe, Asia, and Africa by Spanish and Portuguese explorers in the 16th century.
15. Beetroot
Origin: Mediterranean region
Spread: Cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans, spread to the rest of Europe and later to the Americas.
16. Cucumber
Origin: India
Spread: Cultivated in ancient India, spread to the Middle East and Europe by the Greeks and Romans.
17. Radish
Origin: Southeast Asia
Spread: Cultivated in Egypt by 2700 BC, spread to Greece, Rome, and later to Europe and Asia.
18. Zucchini
Origin: Mesoamerica
Spread: Cultivated by Native Americans, brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, developed into its modern form in Italy in the 19th century.
19. Bell Pepper
Origin: Central and South America
Spread: Spread to Europe in the 16th century via Spanish and Portuguese explorers, then to Asia and Africa.
20. Asparagus
Origin: Eastern Mediterranean region
Spread: Cultivated by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, spread to the rest of Europe and later to the Americas.
