1. Exhibitions
  2. Edible Plants from the Americas
Exhibition

Edible Plants from the Americas

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Europe’s eating habits would be very different had explorer Christopher Columbus not set out to find a faster route from Spain to the Spice Islands of south-east Asia. This exhibition explores how the newly discovered edible plants not only enriched the cuisines of Europe, Asia and Africa, but also had a major impact on global culture, economics and politics.

Chapters

Familiar food from far-off places The papaya – fruit of the angels Ice cream, biodiesel and the custard apple Not poisonous after all – the tomato The spice of life – chilli and pepper Learning to love the potato Cassava, cake and cyanide God’s food – cocoa Peanuts from Peru The essential cereal – corn Spiky but sweet – the prickly pear Credits