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Which American crops became important in Europe after transatlantic exploration?

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Map showing the transatlantic and global routes of major early voyages of discovery and exploration by Spain, Portugal, England, and France during the 15th and 16th centuries. The map traces the journeys of explorers such as Columbus, Cabot, Magellan, da Gama, and others, with labeled paths crossing the Atlantic and encircling Africa and South America, as well as lines of demarcation dividing Spanish and Portuguese exploration zones. — European exploration Map depicting the European exploration of the New World in the 15th and 16th centuries, including the voyages made by Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastián del Cano, Giovanni da Verrazzano, Jacques Cartier, Sir Francis Drake, and others. The lines of demarcation represent an early division between the territory of Spain (to the west) and Portugal (to the east).

Following transatlantic exploration, several American crops were introduced to Europe, significantly altering its agriculture and diet. Among the most impactful were corn (maize) and potatoes.12

Corn became a vital staple that improved famine resistance and supported population growth, particularly after 1700, as it could be grown in environments unsuitable for traditional grains. The potato, which thrived in northern Europe, became a crucial, inexpensive food source for the working class by the 19th century, though over-reliance on the crop eventually led to devastating food crises, such as the potato blight of 1845–1852.12

Other American crops that became important in Europe include:
* Tobacco12
* Tomatoes12
* Squashes12
* Chili peppers (red peppers)12

These introductions were part of the Columbian Exchange, a transformative period of biological globalization that reshaped European agricultural landscapes and dietary habits.1