WHERE OUR FAVORITE FOODS COME FROM

India: Mangoes It’s probably not a huge surprise that India takes the top spot on the list of the world’s biggest mango producers — the tropical fruit is native to the region and accounts for 50% of the world supply. But what you might not know is that mangoes from India only became an export available to the U.S. in the late aughts, when President George W. Bush reportedly allowed the import in exchange for India allowing Harley-Davidson motorcycles into the South Asian country. Still, India is not a top mango provider to the U.S., which instead imports most of its product from Mexico, Peru, and Brazil . Of the approximately 1,500 varieties of mangoes grown in India, the most popular — home and abroad — is the Alphonso, which is also known as the “ King of Mangoes. ” Vietnam: Pepper Black peppercorns are one of the most essential spices for any household pantry, and Vietnam is to thank for nearly half of the world’s output. Th...