Everyone knows potatoes are a quintessentially Irish crop. Italian food just wouldn’t be the same without tomatoes. And pineapples are practically synonymous with Hawaii. Of course, all of these foods, along with pumpkins, chili peppers, peanuts, cashews, chocolate and vanilla all come from Latin America. Before they ever saw a European table, these foods were staples of the Olmecs, Maya, Mapuche, Inka, Totonac, and Aztec peoples.
This display highlights two books related to food history. "The True History of Chocolate" by Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe is displayed in the center. The cover features a historical scene of European figures, reflecting the book’s exploration of chocolate’s global cultural impact. A sign above the book encourages readers to check it out.
To the right is "Maize for the Gods" by Michael Blake, focusing on the history of corn in Latin America. A small decorative pumpkin adds a festive, autumnal touch to the display. The display table is covered with a cheerful blue polka-dot cloth.
This image highlights "Maize for the Gods" by Michael Blake, a book that explores the 9,000-year history of corn. The cover features images of different varieties of maize, emphasizing its historical and cultural significance.
To the left is a small decorative pumpkin, adding a seasonal element, while to the right, a woven basket of dried chiles reinforces the theme of traditional ingredients. The image is set against a blue polka-dot table cover.
This image features a book display centered around the theme of food. The display table is covered with a vibrant orange polka-dot cloth on the right side and a blue polka-dot cloth on the left
The book on display is "Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao" edited by Cameron L. McNeill. Above the book is a small sign that reads, "TAKE ME HOME! Check this book out", encouraging visitors to check out the book.
In front of the book is a small, bright orange pumpkin. On the left side of the display, there is a woven basket filled with large, dark red dried chiles. A second woven basket on the right side contains another variety of dried chiles.
In this image, "The Struggle for Maize: Campesinos, Works, and Transgenic Corn in the Mexican Countryside" by Elizabeth Fitting is prominently featured. A sign above invites patrons to check out the book.
The display table is covered with a vibrant orange polka-dot cloth. A woven basket of dried chiles sits to the left, symbolizing traditional Mexican ingredients, while a decorative gourd on the right adds an autumnal element to the display.
This display highlights foods originating in Latin America. At the top is a large poster titled "Culinary Migration: The Hispanic Heritage of Food." The poster features a map of the Americas showing where foods like potatoes, chiles, and tomatoes originated. It explains how many of these foods, central to global cuisine today, have roots in ancient American cultures, such as the Maya and Inca.
