The World's Oldest Foods We Still Eat

From hunting-gathering to farming

Modern food culture is only a few thousand years old. The majority of the foods we eat today are the result of the shift from hunting-gathering to farming.

Benefits of farming

Farming takes much less time and effort than hunting and gathering and is more consistent and predictable. It provides a consistent supply of food.

Our list

The majority of the foods on our list are the result of agricultural transition, including fruits, wheat, and animal products.

The Oldest Foods We Still Eat

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Rice

Rice cultivation was first documented around 6,000 BC, and it is believed that it was first domesticated in China. White rice, brown rice, and basmati rice are all varieties of rice.

1

Potatoes

Potatoes, one of the world's oldest vegetables, were domesticated in South America around 8,000 BC. They were later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers.

2

Wheat

Wheat is thought to have been domesticated in Eastern Europe around 9,000 BC. It is now one of the world's most widely grown crops. There are several varieties of wheat used for different foods.

3

Beans

Beans were domesticated around 8,000 BC in the Fertile Crescent region. Beans are now grown all over the world and are a good source of protein and fiber.

4

Oats

Oats were first cultivated in China around 5,000 BC, and they were spread to Europe by Roman soldiers around 1,500 BC. Oats have a high nutritional value and are easy to grow.

5

Barley

Around 8,000 BC, barley was first cultivated in what is now Turkey. Since then, it has been used as a food source. However, it wasn't consumed by humans until around 2,000 BC.

6

Milk

Cows, which were domesticated around 10,000 BC in China, were first used to produce milk, but it wasn't until around 2,000 BC that people began to drink milk.

7

Tomatoes

Tomatoes were first cultivated by early farmers in what is now Peru around 8,000 BC. They are now grown in more than 70 countries and are a popular food item.

8

Peaches

Peaches, one of the world's most popular fruits, were domesticated in China around 5,000 BC and brought to Europe by the Arabs around 700 AD.

9

Avocados

Avocados, which are used as both a vegetable and a dessert food, were domesticated in Mesoamerica around 2,500 BC by early farmers who lived there.

10

Conclusion

The transition from hunting-gathering to farming resulted in a significant shift in our eating habits. As a result, some of the oldest foods that we still eat today were produced.

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