Abstract

SANFUENTES ECHEVERRIA, OLAYA. EUROPA Y SU PERCEPCIÓN DEL NUEVO MUNDO A TRAVÉS DE LAS ESPECIES COMESTIBLES Y LOS ESPACIOS AMERICANOS EN EL SIGLO XVI. Historia (Santiago) [online]. 2006, vol.39, n.2, pp. 531-556. ISSN 0717-7194.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-71942006000200006.

The European encounter with the new American space and it species during the sixteenth century, allows us to look at the European percepction of superiority towards exotic worlds in a more complex way. European description of American nature, the first visual images of the local species described with the colors of paradise, exotism and beauty, fertility and abundance, help in constructing a positive image of America. Despite the original disdain or indifference towards the indigenous food, these percepctions will change over time when many of these products become a solution to world wide hunger and important ingredients for national gastronomies

Keywords : Discovery of America; food history; earthly paradise; New World.