6 popular foods that arrived in India after the 15th century
Published on: May 10, 2026, 11:21 a.m. | Source: Times of India
Indian food today feels ancient, but some of its most familiar ingredients are relatively recent arrivals. The big turning point came when Portuguese traders began bringing New World crops into India in the 16th century. That exchange changed kitchens in a quiet but lasting way: new vegetables, fruits, and nuts slipped into everyday cooking and slowly became impossible to imagine without. Most arrived via Portuguese traders and spread because Indian soils and tastes welcomed them. Here are 6 popular foods that were not in India before the 15th century.
