Everybody knows the British went after the spices, but it was the Portuguese that significantly changed the food of the world.

Brazil didn't have coffee before the Portuguese brought it from Africa.

Japan didn't have tempura, or any deep fried dish, and a bread culture before the Portuguese.

Indian food wasnt spicy until the Portuguese brought chilli peppers, saffron, cinnamon, tomatos and potatoes from the Americas. Vindaloo comes from a portuguese technique of maninating pork in Vinho and Alho (garlic).

While the French were dominating cooking techniques for themselves, the Portuguese were spreading ingredients worldwide to anyone willing to trade with them.