Who is Christopher Columbus from On Food and Cooking and what is their importance?

Christopher Columbus played a large role in introducing spices and herbs, as well as many other materials, to Europe, and the New World. In 1493, Columbus brought sheep, goats and the first of the Spanish longhorn cattle to the New World. His expeditions to find new routes to the Indies opened the door to the "West Indies," where vanilla, chillis, and an entire host of new vegetables were found. Columbus introduced pineapple to the French and the Dutch, and he introduced corn to Europe. In 1493, he transported sugar cane to what is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and within forty years, the area became one of the main growers of the crop. In 1502, he brought the cocoa bean to Europe. Without his travels and his transportation of spices, herbs and foods, it is possible that much of the world would still be lacking in what are today considered vital flavorings and foods.