Heirloom Through Time

by: Jehoshua Bromell

Original Heirloom Fruits and vegetables have a long and colorful journey from past to present. This can be said about all areas of the world, but we will talk about specifically about North America. The culture of the America today is very diverse and unique and the same can be said about Heirloom crops going back through time in this region of the world.

Originally in various places of North America you could find different varieties of maze(corn), beans and squash. This trio of crops which are warmly referred to as "The Three Sisters" have been cultivated by Native Americans all across America for many hundreds of years going back before the creation of the U.S. The Three Sisters has since become a major staple to this day in modern American culture, foods, and farming.

In the time period of U.S. chattel slavery, where millions of Africans were stolen from their homelands and brought to the Americas they brought along with them their culture, knowledge, and seeds. Many of our modern food and crops we enjoy today in American culture are directly linked to those enslaved Africans. In the midst of being transported to America, Africans would hide their seeds on their person and hidden in their hair. Among these original African Heirloom seeds that were brought over to America include the likes of Okra, cowpeas, rice, and various peppers.

American Heirloom fruits and vegetables have traveled on an illustrious journey through time to present day. From indigenous rearing to the arrival of various African heirloom species, culminate with modern cultivation and distribution, to ultimately find a place in your garden or dinner table. Tell us, what heirloom crops do you enjoy?