In fourteen hundred and ninety two Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Most of y’all remember Columbus for merely discovering the new world. Although this was a pretty cool accomplishment in itself, it led to so much more than just colonizing the Americas.
The more significant result of this voyage was the opening of the Columbian Exchange. The world’s palate was not only forever changed but thoroughly improved. If it weren’t for Columbus; Italians wouldn’t have the tomato, the Irish wouldn’t have potatoes, the Thais wouldn’t have chili peppers, and the Swiss wouldn’t have chocolate. All beans and squashes originated in the Americas as well as corn.
Essentially Columbus was responsible for all modern cuisine. No wonder Columbus is such a revered figure to the Italians, and believe you me, the Italians will not let this go. So here’s the rub; Columbus an Italian from Genoa (then one of the most powerful cities in the world) manipulated the Spanish into sponsoring a new route to the West Indies. Well Columbus found the Americas instead. Next, the Spanish began to send expeditions looking for gold, on their return voyages they brought back foodstuffs to Europe, which turned out to be far more important than gold. The Portuguese got into the act as well and began transport foods from the Americas to India and Asia. With this infusion of new and exotic foods contemporary ethnic cuisines began to develop.