Yum! You sit down to dig into a delicious dish during your travels — but how much do you know about where your food originated? You might say, "Well, probably from a farmer." But the world is a vast place filled with various ecological systems, and some nations grow particular crops more effectively than others. 

Which nations are known for which foods? What would the world look like without their contributions? More significantly, how can you use international flavors to enhance your menu while you globetrot? 

Here are the favorite foods and exports of a few countries you might stop in on your travels!

1. China — Rice 

China is the world's largest rice grower — and consumer.  During the 2018/19 marketing year, it produced 148.5 million metric tonnes of this grain. Chinese people even eat rice or rice noodles as part of a weekday breakfast. 

What can you do with rice? This shelf-stable and gluten-free grain can perform a world of magic! Try one of these delectable recipes for dinner this week:

• The BEST fried rice: If you have day-old leftovers, reach for this recipe to reduce food waste and enjoy a hearty meal. The best part? You can use any vegetables you like.
  
  

• Southwest rice: Do you have chronic pain issues? This tasty dish contains turmeric, a known anti-inflammatory herb. Add black pepper liberally to enhance the pain-relieving effects or nosh away. 

2. India — Milk 

You may remember learning in school that Hindus consider cows a sacred representation of life. However, you might not have drawn the correlation between spiritual belief and practicality. Milk makes up a considerable portion of India's agricultural exports. The country accounts for 19% of the world's milk production. Even your plain glass of milk counts as an international food — how's that for enlightening?

When in India or anywhere else, you can use dairy milk to make anything from cheese to ice cream. You can also add it to your tea to give it a pleasantly sweet flavor. 

3. Turkey — Sunflower Oil and Seeds 

Sunflower seeds can become a snack-attack dieter's best friend because you have to work to crunch those babies out of their shell. Agricultural co-ops make up nearly 40% of all the sunflower farms in Turkey, so you can rest assured they were grown with love. These gems are essential sources of trace minerals, providing 30% or more of your RDA of manganese and selenium. Sunflower oil also has a high flash point, making it an ideal base for stir-fry.

4. Japan — Green Tea 

There's nothing like a warm cuppa on a chilly day. If you adore drinking green tea, you owe kudos to Japan. The recent matcha craze at coffee shops has created record-breaking sales of the export.

If you embrace a vegan lifestyle, you have an additional reason to smile over your steamy mug. Because Japan is an island nation, they use fish bones as a fertilizer. The tea leaves absorb vitamin B-12 from the soil, leading to an enriched brew. Since this nutrient only originates from animal sources, green tea could serve as a cruelty-free supplement. 

5. Colombia — Coffee 

Ah, that magical bean water that makes Monday morning budget meetings bearable. Colombia exported 12.7 million 60-kilogram bags of these heavenly morning wake-me-ups between 2017 and 2018. It doesn't matter if you take it with cream and sugar or prefer it black. Americans consume gallons of this beverage every week, and you have to wonder how sleepy the world would be without this nation's contribution! 

6. The Ivory Coast — Chocolate 

Maybe you're celebrating Valentine's Day, or perhaps you merely want a sweet ending to your meal. If you are a chocoholic, you have the Ivory Coast to blame. They're the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans, the crucial ingredient in everything from candy bars to devil's food cake. Think about this seaside nation the next time you tuck into a chocolate bar as your favorite travel food.

7. Mexico — Sugar 

When you think of Mexico, you might think of hot peppers or avocados — and it's true that the U.S., particularly the southwest, imports a considerable percentage of international foods from this country. However, Mexico also offers the ideal climate for growing sugar. The market recently reversed after a lull in January and February of 2019. Tensions between the U.S. and its neighbor to the south threaten to impact prices. However, it's doubtful that the world will cease demand for sweet goodness, even if the cost increases. 

8. Canada — Maple Syrup 

Did you know the U.S.' neighbor to the north, Canada, produces anywhere from 72% to 80% of the world's maple syrup? The next time you sit down to a buttery, sticky stack of pancakes, thank Justin Trudeau and his fellow citizens. 

You don't have to reserve your maple syrup obsession for breakfast, either. You can find all-natural maple hard candy to snack on throughout the day as a travel treat. Alternatively, you can use maple syrup as a marinade for other dishes, including poultry and sweet potato-based meals. 

9. New Zealand — Honey 

The world's bees face a crisis due to climate change, and people rely on these tiny critters to fertilize crops. A third of our food supply depends on these pollinators. If they disappear, millions of people could face starvation. 

New Zealand is a substantial exporter of honey, and their environmental policies rank among some of the strongest in the world. Perhaps other nations should talk to their beekeepers to develop innovative ways to preserve these crucial species. 

You can use honey in a variety of recipes. Research indicates the substance has potent antioxidant powers, so try adding a dollop to your tea when you're sick. It could coat your throat and help destroy germ cells. 

Put the Best International Foods on Your Plate

Now that you know where your favorite foods originate, you can thank their nations of origin when you travel and taste-test. Think about how flavorful every nation makes the world!

About the Author

Alyssa Abel is an education and study abroad blogger with a passion for travel. Follow her @alyssaabelblog on Twitter or read her blog, Syllabusy.