Top Crops

Although there are an estimated 50,000 edible plant species in the world, a mere fifteen crops provide 90% of the world’s energy intake. Rice, wheat and maize (corn) alone provide about 50% of global energy intake (source). Rounding out the top ten food crops (by annual production in tons) are potatoes, cassava, soybeans, sweet potatoes, sorghum, yams, and plantains. Other important food crops key to caloric intake include sugar and oil crops such as palm, rapeseed/canola, and mustard (based on FAOSTAT food supply data).

In the spirit of New Year’s, I thought I’d share part of a NYTimes article that mentions foods that different cultures associate with New Year’s celebrations.

“AT year’s end, people around the world indulge in food rituals to ensure good luck in the days ahead. In Spain, grapes eaten as the clock turns midnight — one for each chime — foretell whether the year will be sweet or sour. In Austria, the New Year’s table is decorated with marzipan pigs to celebrate wealth, progress and prosperity. Germans savor carp and place a few fish scales in their wallets for luck. And for African-Americans and in the Southern United States, it’s all about black-eyed peas.”