The Columbian Exchange

The Columbian Exchange refers to the exchange of food crops, ideas and diseases between the New World and the Old World following Christopher Columbus' voyage to the Americas in 1492.

The Old World (Europe and Asia) gained from the Columbian Exchange in a number of ways: new staple crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, maize, cassava and other foods 

including tomatoes, chili peppers, cacao, peanuts, and pineapples were introduced, and are now culinary centerpieces in many Old World countries. Tobacco, another New World crop, was so universally adopted that it came to be used as a substitute for currency in many parts of the world. The exchange also drastically increased the availability of many Old World crops, such as sugar and coffee, which were particularly well-suited for the soils of the New World.

Cacao became an important commodity and was even used
as currency before it evolved into a delicious drink and dessert.

The History of Chocolate

Take the Chocolate Quiz


Check out the interactive map of Chocolate's History on Google Earth!
(kmz file link to Google Earth forwarded
 as a separate attachment)