All the good foods we have come from South America
Here’s a list of foods that originated in South America, many of which have become staples around the world. South America, especially the Andean and Amazonian regions, gave rise to an incredible variety of plants:
🌽 Grains & Starches
• Quinoa – High-protein seed native to the Andes.
• Amaranth – Ancient grain-like seed used similarly to quinoa.
• Corn (Maize) – Domesticated in Mesoamerica, but cultivated extensively in South America too.
• Cassava (Manioc/Yuca) – A starchy tuber that’s a dietary staple in many tropical regions.
• Potatoes – Over 4,000 native varieties from the Andes; Peru is considered their cradle.
• Sweet potatoes – Also native to tropical South America.
• Oca – A tuber like a small potato, grown in the Andes.
• Maca – A root from the Peruvian Andes, used as a supplement and for food.
• Arracacha – A root vegetable similar to parsnips, native to the Andes.
🍅 Fruits & Vegetables
• Tomatoes – Originally from western South America (Andes), later domesticated in Mexico.
• Pineapples – Native to southern Brazil and Paraguay.
• Papayas – Likely originated in the Andes and spread to Central America.
• Passionfruit (Maracuja) – Native to Brazil and nearby regions.
• Avocados – Originated in Central and South America.
• Chili peppers – Several varieties are native to South America.
• Peanuts (Groundnuts) – Native to Bolivia and northern Argentina.
• Cacao (for chocolate) – Native to the Amazon basin.
• Guava – Native to tropical regions of South America.
• Camu camu – A superfruit from the Amazon, very high in vitamin C.
• Açaí berries – Grown in the Amazon rainforest.
• Brazil nuts – From the Amazon forest.
• Cherimoya (Custard apple) – Grown in the Andean highlands.
• Lulo (Naranjilla) – Native to Colombia and Ecuador.
• Feijoa (Pineapple guava) – Native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
• Guaraná – Amazonian fruit rich in caffeine.
🌶 Herbs, Spices & Others
• Coca leaves – Sacred plant in Andean culture (used traditionally, not to be confused with its processed form).
• Annatto (Achiote) – Used as a natural coloring and spice.
• Yerba Mate – A caffeinated plant used for tea, native to southern South America.
🥜 Legumes & Nuts
• Peanuts – As mentioned, native to South America.
• Lupin beans (Tarwi) – Grown in the Andes; high in protein.
Would you like a printable list, or one organized by modern use (e.g., snacks, flours, beverages, etc.)?
🌽 Grains & Starches
• Quinoa – High-protein seed native to the Andes.
• Amaranth – Ancient grain-like seed used similarly to quinoa.
• Corn (Maize) – Domesticated in Mesoamerica, but cultivated extensively in South America too.
• Cassava (Manioc/Yuca) – A starchy tuber that’s a dietary staple in many tropical regions.
• Potatoes – Over 4,000 native varieties from the Andes; Peru is considered their cradle.
• Sweet potatoes – Also native to tropical South America.
• Oca – A tuber like a small potato, grown in the Andes.
• Maca – A root from the Peruvian Andes, used as a supplement and for food.
• Arracacha – A root vegetable similar to parsnips, native to the Andes.
🍅 Fruits & Vegetables
• Tomatoes – Originally from western South America (Andes), later domesticated in Mexico.
• Pineapples – Native to southern Brazil and Paraguay.
• Papayas – Likely originated in the Andes and spread to Central America.
• Passionfruit (Maracuja) – Native to Brazil and nearby regions.
• Avocados – Originated in Central and South America.
• Chili peppers – Several varieties are native to South America.
• Peanuts (Groundnuts) – Native to Bolivia and northern Argentina.
• Cacao (for chocolate) – Native to the Amazon basin.
• Guava – Native to tropical regions of South America.
• Camu camu – A superfruit from the Amazon, very high in vitamin C.
• Açaí berries – Grown in the Amazon rainforest.
• Brazil nuts – From the Amazon forest.
• Cherimoya (Custard apple) – Grown in the Andean highlands.
• Lulo (Naranjilla) – Native to Colombia and Ecuador.
• Feijoa (Pineapple guava) – Native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina.
• Guaraná – Amazonian fruit rich in caffeine.
🌶 Herbs, Spices & Others
• Coca leaves – Sacred plant in Andean culture (used traditionally, not to be confused with its processed form).
• Annatto (Achiote) – Used as a natural coloring and spice.
• Yerba Mate – A caffeinated plant used for tea, native to southern South America.
🥜 Legumes & Nuts
• Peanuts – As mentioned, native to South America.
• Lupin beans (Tarwi) – Grown in the Andes; high in protein.
Would you like a printable list, or one organized by modern use (e.g., snacks, flours, beverages, etc.)?
