New Foods: Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Corn — Reading Comprehension

Food has always been an important part of people’s lives. In the late 1400s, a big change began when explorers from Europe sailed to the Americas. This started what we call the Columbian Exchange. It was a time when people, plants, and animals moved between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Before this exchange, people in Europe did not have certain foods. They had never seen potatoes, tomatoes, or corn. These foods grew only in the Americas. Native Americans had been growing and eating them for thousands of years.

When explorers like Christopher Columbus arrived, they saw these new foods. They tasted corn and potatoes for the first time. They learned from Native Americans how to plant and cook them. Soon, ships began carrying potatoes, tomatoes, and corn back to Europe.

The journey across the Atlantic Ocean was long and hard. But the new foods made it safely to Europe. People in Spain, Italy, and other countries were amazed by these foods. At first, some did not want to try them. For example, many Europeans thought tomatoes were poisonous. But as people learned how tasty and healthy these foods were, they became popular.

Potatoes grew well in many places. They became a big part of diets in Ireland and Russia. Corn was easy to grow and could feed many people and animals. Tomatoes soon became important in Italian cooking. These foods helped people stay healthy and fight hunger.

The Columbian Exchange changed lives on both sides of the ocean. Native Americans also received new foods and animals from Europe. But the movement of foods like potatoes, tomatoes, and corn helped end famines and made meals more diverse around the world.

The story of these foods is a story of sharing and change. People learned from each other and worked together. Today, it is hard to think of Italian pizza without tomatoes or Irish meals without potatoes.

Trade between the Americas and Europe was not always easy. But it helped people solve problems and try new things. Foods that were once unknown became favorites for millions of people.

Interesting Fact: More than 4,000 kinds of potatoes are grown in South America today!

What was the Columbian Exchange?

Which foods came from the Americas?

Who taught explorers about new foods?

Why were potatoes important in Ireland?

How did corn help people?

Why did some Europeans fear tomatoes?

Potatoes, tomatoes, and corn are from Europe. True or False?

What does 'diverse' mean?