Challenging National Narratives: On the Origins of Sweet Potato in China as Global Commodity During the Early Modern Period

Abstract

The introduction of American cereal crops is probably one of the most important events in China¿s agricultural history, having a great effect on the agriculture production, national life, the transformation of consumer behaviour and, to some extent, the nationalization of consumption. The sweet potato (Ipomoea Batatas L.), in Chinese g¿nsh¿ ¿¿, is a staple food crop for ancient Chinese society. Today it still plays an important role in Chinese daily life, as well as guaranteeing national food security.