--- title: "18 Food Crops Developed in the Americas" url: "https:\/\/britannicaeducation.com\/blog\/18-food-crops-developed-in-the-americas\/" published: "2022-11-02T07:52:00+00:00" modified: "2026-04-17T16:16:49+00:00" author: "Britannica Education" description: "Although no continent on Earth is now untouched by the diverse and delicious seed and food crops developed in the Americas, the brilliance of the native peoples who domesticated these nourishing plants over millennia has largely been overlooked by history. " --- # 18 Food Crops Developed in the Americas Although no continent on Earth is now untouched by the diverse and delicious seed and food crops developed in the Americas, the brilliance of the native peoples who domesticated these nourishing plants over millennia has largely been overlooked by history. ![Thistle background graphic](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/themes/britannica-education/assets/img/backgrounds/thistle.svg) - [ Home ](https://britannicaeducation.com/) - [ Blog ](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/) - 18 Food… 18 Food Crops Developed in the Americas ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-18-food-crops-1024x342.png) [Native American Heritage Month](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/category/native-american-heritage-month/) # 18 Food Crops Developed in the Americas ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/BE_Thistle-Variation-1.svg) November 2, 2022 **FREE DOWNLOAD** ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/be-blog-ai-playbook-hero.jpg) **[5 Plays for AI-Powered Planning](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/5-plays-for-ai-powered-planning/)** Navigate and champion AI at your school, district, or library. [Get the Playbook](https://britannicaeducation.com/blog/5-plays-for-ai-powered-planning/) **SPARK LEARNING THAT LASTS** [![Text: Curious Kids. 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The following is a list celebrating some of the domesticated crops we owe to the original peoples of the so-called New World. #### **Amaranth** A staple crop to [Aztecs](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Aztec/273040) and other Mesoamerican peoples, [amaranth](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/amaranth/309803) was domesticated in Mesoamerica at least as early as 4000 BCE. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-amaranth.jpg) #### **Avocado** [Avocados](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/avocado/273036) were possibly domesticated independently in Mexico and Central America between 4000 and 2800 BCE. They were of particular cultural significance to the [Maya](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Maya/275746). #### **Beans** Common [beans](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/bean/317032) (Phaseolus vulgaris), scarlet runner beans (P. coccineus), and lima beans (P. lunatus) were all domesticated in the Americas prior to European colonization. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-beans.jpg) #### **Cacao** The origin of cacao (the source of chocolate) is debated, but it may have been domesticated in South America and then introduced to the Maya 1,500 years ago. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-cocoa.jpg) #### **Cassava** Also known as manioc or yuca, cassava was likely domesticated 8,000–10,000 years ago in southern Brazil by ancient Amazonian peoples. #### **Chia** Chia was widely cultivated in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica and was an essential food for [Aztecs](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Aztec/273040). ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-chia.jpg) #### **Corn (Maize)** One of the most ancient crops of the Americas, [corn](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/corn/273813) was domesticated by [Olmec](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Olmec/480458) and [Mayan](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Maya/275746) peoples in Mexico some 10,000 years ago. #### **Papaya** Although the domestication history of the [papaya](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/papaya/332473) is unresolved, the fruits were cultivated and further developed by the Maya at least 4,000 years ago. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-papaya.jpg) #### **Peanut** Peanuts are thought to have been first domesticated in ancient Bolivia. #### **Peppers** [Chili peppers](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/pepper/276355) were developed in Mesoamerica (probably in Mexico) at least 7,000 years ago. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-chili.jpg) #### **Pineapple** The [pineapple](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/pineapple/276429) plant is native to southern [Brazil](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Brazil/273339) and [Paraguay](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Paraguay/276279), though the timing of its domestication is uncertain. #### **Potato** [Potatoes](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/potato/276520) are thought to have been independently domesticated several times and were primarily cultivated by the [Inca](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Inca/275040) as early as 1,800 years ago. #### **Quinoa** Quinoa was independently domesticated multiple times throughout the [Andean](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Central-Andean-Indians/480490) highlands some 3,000–5,000 years ago and has been a staple crop to [Inca](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Inca/275040), [Aymara](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/American-Indians-or-Native-Americans/275046#285520.toc), and Quechua peoples, among others. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-quinoa.jpg) #### **Squash** Multiple species of [squash](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/squash/601900), including [pumpkins](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/pumpkin/276582), zucchinis, and hard-shelled [gourds](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/gourd/274609), were domesticated independently throughout the Americas and are some of the earliest American crops. #### **Sunflower** [Sunflowers](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/sunflower/277962) were domesticated in eastern North America some 4,000 years ago. #### **Sweet Potato** The [sweet potato](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/sweet-potato/277981) likely originated in tropical [Central America](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Central-America/273579), though the history of its domestication is uncertain. ![](https://britannicaeducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/be-blog-crops-potato.jpg) #### **Tomatillo** The tomatillo is thought to have been first domesticated by the [Aztecs](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Aztec/273040) in central [Mexico](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/aa5813) in about 800 BCE. #### **Tomato** [Tomatoes](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/tomato/277384) are thought to have originated in the [Andean](https://school.eb.com/levels/middle/article/Central-Andean-Indians/480490) region, but their domestication history is unresolved. Each year, beginning in November, Native American Heritage Month is celebrated to honor the sacrifices, culture, and stories of Indigenous people who have contributed significantly to our country’s history. Declared a federal event in 1990, this awareness month is a great reminder to make sure your curriculum includes Indigenous history, current events, and culture. 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