In early November of 1492, Christopher Columbus and his crew, while exploring the lush landscapes of Cuba, encountered a transformative agricultural revelation - maize, or corn, a staple crop cultivated by the indigenous Taino people.
The Taino introduced Columbus to the art of growing, harvesting, and processing maize, a crop deeply embedded in their diet and culture.
This knowledge exchange marked a significant moment in the Columbian Exchange, as maize would soon journey across continents, becoming a vital food source in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Columbus observed the methods the Taino used—planting the corn seeds in small mounds to enhance growth, and cultivating the fields communally—a practice entirely new to European agricultural traditions.
Through these insights, Columbus began to realise the immense potential of maize, foreshadowing its role in global diets and agriculture.
