Many of us don’t know about
how vegetables came about or where they originated from. Well, many of our vegetables
have a long history of developing to provide the tasty morcels of our kitchen.
(1) Okra
It probably originated
somewhere around Ethiopia, and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians in the 12th
century B.C.E.Its cultivation spread through North Africa and Middle East.
somewhere around Ethiopia, and was cultivated by the ancient Egyptians in the 12th
century B.C.E.Its cultivation spread through North Africa and Middle East.
Okra came to the Caribbean
and the U.S in the 1700’s,probably by the slaves from West Africa, and was
introduced to Western Europe.
and the U.S in the 1700’s,probably by the slaves from West Africa, and was
introduced to Western Europe.
(2) Bitter leaf
It belongs to the family
Asteraceae. The genus Vernonia grows throughout Africa, South and North America
.But it grows extensively in Central Africa and West Africa while the species
V.galamensis grows in East Africa, e.g. Ethiopia.
Asteraceae. The genus Vernonia grows throughout Africa, South and North America
.But it grows extensively in Central Africa and West Africa while the species
V.galamensis grows in East Africa, e.g. Ethiopia.
(3) Pumpkin
Archaeologist discovered
the oldest Pumpkin seed in the Oaxaca highland of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed
to have originated in Central America over seven thousand five hundred years
ago.
the oldest Pumpkin seed in the Oaxaca highland of Mexico. Pumpkins are believed
to have originated in Central America over seven thousand five hundred years
ago.
(4) Spinach (Waterleaf)
It is thought to have
originated from ancient Persia (modern Iran). it was introduced to ancient
China where it was known as Persian vegetable in 647 A.D and was first recorded
in 10th century in Mediterranean(Wikipedia).
originated from ancient Persia (modern Iran). it was introduced to ancient
China where it was known as Persian vegetable in 647 A.D and was first recorded
in 10th century in Mediterranean(Wikipedia).
(5) Tomato
History of Tomato reaches
2500 years to the past, when people of ancient Aztec empire saw its value and
integrated it into their lives, medicine and cuisine. Now, this fascinating
vegetable represents one of the most popular vegetables in the world that is
preset in many diets.
2500 years to the past, when people of ancient Aztec empire saw its value and
integrated it into their lives, medicine and cuisine. Now, this fascinating
vegetable represents one of the most popular vegetables in the world that is
preset in many diets.
(6) Carrot
History of Carrots span the
last five thousand years and tells the incredible tale of Its domestication in
the fields of ancient Iran and Afghanistan, expansion to the Egypt and China, popularity
in medieval Europe and finally ,birth of the common orange Carrot in the
scientific circles of 17th century in Netherlands.
last five thousand years and tells the incredible tale of Its domestication in
the fields of ancient Iran and Afghanistan, expansion to the Egypt and China, popularity
in medieval Europe and finally ,birth of the common orange Carrot in the
scientific circles of 17th century in Netherlands.
(7) Ginger
It started in the lush
tropical jungles in Southern Asia. Since the ancient times, Ginger was
essential spice and medicine. Today it is still used in the East and the West
for the same reason as: food, as sweet and as a cure for ailments.
tropical jungles in Southern Asia. Since the ancient times, Ginger was
essential spice and medicine. Today it is still used in the East and the West
for the same reason as: food, as sweet and as a cure for ailments.
(8) Onion
Onion are one of the oldest
cultivated vegetables in our history, originating in Central Asia from where it
is spread to Middle East by Babylonian culture in Iran and West Pakistan. But
Onions were grown in ancient Egypt 5,500 years ago, India and China 5,000 years
ago
cultivated vegetables in our history, originating in Central Asia from where it
is spread to Middle East by Babylonian culture in Iran and West Pakistan. But
Onions were grown in ancient Egypt 5,500 years ago, India and China 5,000 years
ago
(9) Garlic
It started its journey in
Central Asia, domesticated during Neolithic times, spread to the Middle East and
Northern Africa in 3,000 B.C, which quickly enabled it to reach Europe.
Central Asia, domesticated during Neolithic times, spread to the Middle East and
Northern Africa in 3,000 B.C, which quickly enabled it to reach Europe.
(10) Potatoes
The South America Andes Mountain
(modern-day Southern Peru and Northern Bolivia) managed to prove its usefulness
to our ancestors, who cultivated it, nurtured it, and ensured its survival
during the last 10,000 years of our history. It is the fourth largest food crop
after Maize, Rice and Wheat.
(modern-day Southern Peru and Northern Bolivia) managed to prove its usefulness
to our ancestors, who cultivated it, nurtured it, and ensured its survival
during the last 10,000 years of our history. It is the fourth largest food crop
after Maize, Rice and Wheat.
(11) Watermelon
The first Watermelon
appeared in South Africa some 5,000 years ago, and we can still find many variants
there, from sweet, too bland and sweet .They spread from there and by 2000
years B.C.E they were cultivated in Egypt, Europe and China by the 10th century
and 7th century it reached India. But China is largest producer. They are 96% water
and 6% sugar. Low in fats but has high amount of Vitamin C.
appeared in South Africa some 5,000 years ago, and we can still find many variants
there, from sweet, too bland and sweet .They spread from there and by 2000
years B.C.E they were cultivated in Egypt, Europe and China by the 10th century
and 7th century it reached India. But China is largest producer. They are 96% water
and 6% sugar. Low in fats but has high amount of Vitamin C.
(12) Cucumber
Over 4000 years ago, cucumber
was spread beyond India borders, moved through Ancient Greece, Rome, Europe,
China, and eventually becoming fourth most widely cultivated vegetable in the
world.
was spread beyond India borders, moved through Ancient Greece, Rome, Europe,
China, and eventually becoming fourth most widely cultivated vegetable in the
world.
(13) Butter beans
Butter Beans are native to Central
America. They were first recorded in Europe in 1591.
America. They were first recorded in Europe in 1591.
