Southern European Cuisines

Southern European Cuisines are rich in all kinds of ingredients. Europe has experienced many conquests, from different empires and peoples. The first people to have influenced Southern European cuisines was undoubtedly Greece. They spread the cultivation of the olive tree and the production of oil, the main fat used in Southern Europe. They spread the cultivation of the vine by spreading the production of wine brought about by the Roman Empire.
Thanks to this last great empire, many products, cultures and productions (such as live wine) were imported and exported. Another great empire that influenced southern European cuisine was the Turkish one, especially in southern Italy and Portugal by introducing dried fruits, dates, and couscous. Last but not least are all the foods introduced by the discovery of America, such as potatoes, corn, tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and chocolate, thus the Mediterranean cuisines we know today were born.