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Native Domesticated Plants of Mesoamerica
Zea_Mays" class="copylinks">'''Zea Mays''' -

''Maize,'' or known today as corn, was the biggest symbol in Mesoamerica. The first evidence for the domestication of ''maize'' was found and thought to date back to 5050 BC in the ancient Olmec. Newer dating techniques have led to redate the earliest domesticated maize to 2600 BC. ''Maize'' was domesticated in Western Mexico. Mesoamerican cultures expanded where the cultivation of ''maize'' was. ''Maize'' had become widespread in the Late Archaic Period . ''Maize'' was grown wherever conditions allowed it and there were high levels of settlement according to these areas. Early uses of ''maize'' was more focused on the consumption of the kernels when they were unripened. Before people settled into villages and began farming, the amount of time it took to invest in ''maize'' was too great of a margin. The output of ''maize'' did not present enough quantity to spend the time and work needed to grow this crop.

''Maize'' could be both dried and stored which was very important in Mesoamerican times. ''Maize'' could be used on a year-round basis. Since ''maize'' could be dried, this meant that it was able to be transported as well. The common bean or ''Phaseolus vulgaris'' was often grown with ''maize''. These two plants have complimentary aminoacids when used together which was vital during scarce food conditions for needed nutrients. Since ''maize'' was such a significant part of the Mesoamerican diet, calcium was also added in eating ''maize'' because dried maize was ground by using limestone.

''Maize'' is also associated with festival and feast foods. Before ''maize'' was domesticated and became a main crop, it was used as a basis for beer. By fermenting ''maize'' it could be turned into a beverage, which is beer. Beer was transported in decorated vessels and ceramic pottery. These vessels could be taken to social and ritual occasions. In ritual events of festivals, such as ball games, feasts, and calendar turnings, involved the royal members to partake in the sacrifice of blood-letting and piercing. This took place in some cases to give back to the deities or gods for the gods having given ''maize'' to the people that year. Another example of how ''maize'' played such a large role in Mesoamerica, is when deities were portrayed with ''maize.'' Quetzalcoatl is connected as being a creator of humans in Mesoamerica. This deity is also seen as the one who took ''maize'' from the underworld and gave it to the humans in the present world.

Capiscum -

''Capiscum'' is the genus name of the chile pepper plant, which is a native domesticated plant from Mesoamerica. The spice in the chile pepper, capsaicin, kills bacteria when it is stored with other foods. Capsaicin reduces the bacterial load when something can not be refridgerated. In Mesoamerica, the capsaicin spice was also used to relieve joint pain, and as an intestinal stimulant, so capsicum is also known as a type of medicinal plant. The peppers from capsicum plants can be used in a fresh or dried state. A dried chile pepper is stronger and more effective than a fresh chile pepper.

During the Middle Archaic Period or the Coxcatlán Phase , between 5700-3825 BC, the domestication of plants, such as the chile, was thought to have began. Mesoamerica's chile crops along with the majority of other food crops, were all domesticated by the Late Fromative Period . When the domestication of crops began, the majority of people were working at cultivating fields and crops like the chile. Chiles were a relied on source of food in Mesoamerican times. Chile crops were combined with maize, beans, and squash crops.

Chiles were a part of trade and gift giving. Chiefs or other elite members would use foods and stews spiced with chiles when involved in a feast. Using such strongly spiced foods was to show a stylistic and powerful approach to those receiving the dishes.

The chile plant was featured in different stews including vegetables, turkey, and dog meats and in chile-spiced tomato salsa with tortillas. Chiles were also added at times to cacao, when it was in a beverage form. In Mesoamerica, chiles were used for ritual purposes and therefore, the chile crops did not extend into North and South America like maize, beans, and squash. A cuisine distinct to Mesoamerica was a maize-and-chile pepper based food.

As part of the Aztec way of childraising, chiles were used as a type of punishment. Children needing punished were put next to a fire and chiles were then burned in it. The smoke from the burning chiles would irritate the child because of the strong spice.

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