Blog Archives

Colombian Exchange: Effects on Sri Lanka’s Culinary Landscape Source:Brisbane 4EB Sri Lankan Newsletter – Dæhæna – October 2021 Colombian exchange is the anthropological term describing the exchange of produce between the New World (Americas and the Caribbean) and the Old World. This trade was primarily facilitated by the first exploration of Portuguese and Spanish seafarers who not only introduced the fruits and vegetables to their native lands, but also across their colonies. The Columbian Exchange has played an integral role in sculpting the culinary landscape of Sri Lanka. Many fruits and vegetables believed to be quintessentially Sri Lankan have their roots in the Americas. The following are a small sample of the vast number of edible items introduced to Sri Lanka from the Americas: Fruits: Avocado, Chilli Peppers, Guava, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Pine apple, Tomatoes Vegetables: Corn, Manioc, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Sweet Potatoes Nuts: Brazil Nuts, Cashew, Peanuts, Pecans Beans: Kidney, ...