Explanation Paper Benchmark

Explanation Paper

(European Foods~ Impact of Exploration)

For my benchmark, I chose to research and learn about the impact that exploration had on European foods. In my oral presentation, which I will give on March 21, 2002, I will explain certain characteristics before and after European exploration. I will speak about how the only spices that were ordinarily used in Europe in the beginning of the Renaissance were pepper and salt, while after Christopher Columbus explored the new world common spices also included ginger and cinnamon. In addition, I will refer to other ways that foods were flavored, for example by sugar which was extracted from sugar cane, and I will talk about how poultry and meat were common meals in Europe during the Renaissance, although for most people it was served in an old, decayed manner, as only privileged folk could afford fresh meat. In addition, I will talk about how only few, orchard grown fruits were known to Europeans before exploration, while afterwards, they had knowledge of pineapples, kiwi, blueberries, etc. During my presentation, I will also refer to my museum exhibit, which will include a timeline of important dates, quotes, facts, and a world map, and I will refer to a poster that I create, which will also include many interesting facts about the impact of exploration on European foods.

The topic that I researched is an extremely important piece of history. Because of exploration, many common foods were discovered, such as coffee, peanuts, chocolate, red and green peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and kiwi (Tannahill 241). Pineapple, which is another example of a common food today that was discovered during medieval times, was introduced to Christopher Columbus by the Carib Indians on his second voyage to the Caribbean region in November of 1493 (Levins 4). In addition, spices and sweeteners that were discovered during this time period have all helped widen the horizons of present day cuisine. For example, Christopher Columbus was introduced to cinnamon and ginger on one of his voyages to the New World. Both of these spices are commonly used today to greatly improve the taste of many foods. Also, vanilla was introduced to Europeans in 1529, syrup began being extracted from Maple trees, and sugar was put in gravy for an improved taste after people explored the world (Usherwood 26). Most of the spices, sweeteners, vegetables, fruits, and meat that were discovered during medieval times are all common foods today, in the twenty-first century.

This topic is extremely significant in the context of the time period, as people explored often, and as a result, were introduced to many new things and experienced a lot of cultural diffusion, or the spread of cultures. Exploration of the Americas greatly increased the variety and the quality of European foods. Christopher Columbus, a well-known explorer of the time, was on a voyage to India to retrieve certain spices, however never completed his journey as he accidentally bumped into the Americas. Columbus' exploration greatly influenced foods, as many foods were then introduced to the explorer. More importantly, however, Columbus' exploration, which began on a journey to collect spices, introduced the Americas to the world and influenced the development of what we now call the United States of America, the most powerful country in the world. The addition of these foods and spices were also significant in the context of the time period because they influenced people's diets and health. With the discovery of new foods, medieval people were able to have