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Agricultural goods from the Americas

Definition

These are crops and livestock that originated in America but were introduced to Europe after contact between two continents was established. Examples include potatoes, corn, tomatoes, etc.

Analogy

Imagine going grocery shopping at your local store when suddenly they introduce an aisle full of exotic fruits you've never seen before. That's what happened when agricultural goods from America started arriving in Europe - it added variety and novelty to their diet!

Related terms

Columbian Exchange: The widespread transfer of plants, animals, culture, human populations, technology, diseases between America and Afro-Eurasian hemispheres following Christopher Columbus' voyages.

New World Crops: Refers specifically to crops that originated in North & South America such as maize (corn), potatoes, tomatoes etc., many of which became staple foods in various parts of Europe.

Old World Crops: Refers to crops that originated in Europe, Asia and Africa before the discovery of America. Examples include wheat, barley, rice etc.