I've read some of the other questions and answers (thanks FAQ!) as to why potatoes became so popular. My question pertains more to other crops that are just now starting to become available (here in Sweden at least), such as for example quinoa.
Are those crops (generally, but especially quinoa) not as well suited to farming in Europe or were there other reasons they've been sort of looked over, compared to potatoes?
I realize this might be up to speculation, so I'll welcome all nutritional facts that may play a part in this as well.
How about the tomato? Where would southern Italian cooking be without it? Szechuan cooking would be VERY different without chili peppers Corn? Tobacco? I understand that I'm ignoring part of your question, but many new world crops were immediately more popular than the potato. It took a while for the potato to catch on, because many old world folks were hesitant to adopt it because of it's relation,and vaguely similar appearance to the deadly nightshade,