Foods from the New World made the culinary experience of Europe what it is today. -Corn or maize was first domesticated in Mesoamerica. The maize plant does not resemble other grains found in Europe, although its preparation in the form of ground flour in breads and gruels gave it a certain similarity to them. Maize flour was combined with other ground cereals and used in the preparation of rustic breads, favored by the poor. It also came to substitute for millet in the preparation of Italian polenta. -The tomato was domesticated in Peru in central America; Hernan Cortes brought tomatoes to Europe in 1504. The fruit was pale in colour and difficult to prepare. It was to acidic and looked spooled when ripened. Eventually Europeans adopted the Aztec technique of grinding them into a puree. -The potato grew high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Potatoes were introduced to Europe in 1537 by Spain. The food was more for the lower class and was used to feed hospital inmates. Sir Francis Drake brought the potato to England in the late 1500’s when he stopped in Cartagena for supplies. Gained slow acceptance into the French Diet. Did not resemble any familiar ingredient, cooks did not know how to prepare it. -Chocolate comes from an Amazonian fruiting tree, the bean did not gain popularity in Europe till the 16 th century to the upper class because of the expensive bean tax. Spain controlled the coco growing reigns keeping it under lock and key. As chocolate was given to royal courts through out Europe it slowly began to gain popularity. -Drinking hot chocolate became popular in Spain during the 16 th century Original recipe was sweetened with sugar or honey and flavoured with vanilla, cinnamon and sometimes black pepper. Was used as a thickening agent in cooking -Tobacco was also discovered and of course became a hugely popular cash crop. -A variety of beans were introduced; Until Columbus returned from his 2 nd voyage in 1493, the only beans know to Europe were the broad, fava on horse beans New World beans gained general acceptance in much of Europe by the end of the 18 th century