The Aztecs were very successful at growing domestic plants and most houses had gardens. Along with medicinal herbs, which are an important part of modern medicine, the Aztecs mainly grew plants which still form the basis of diet in the western world. Most important for Europe was the sweet potato which, after its introduction, rapidly became an important staple food alongside bread.

Hot chocolate or 'chocolatl' (from 'choco' meaning 'bitter' and 'atl' meaning 'water') was the favourite drink of the emperor Montezuma. The Spanish conquistador Cortés reported that it made the drinker happy and had a slightly narcotic effect. Perhaps this was because the ancient Mexicans spiced it with hot chilli pepper, not sugar!

We also have the ancient inhabitants of Mexico to thank for certain varieties of bean, capsicum peppers, peanuts, sunflowers, tobacco and much else. Beans provided valuable vegetable fats and minerals, chillis the vitamin C so vital to good health. But the most important foodstuff, especially for poorer people, was corn (maize). The importance of corn made its impact on religion. The corn goddess was highly venerated and sacrifices were made to various other deities so that they would help the corn grow. For example, the seed would sprout only with help from the water goddess Chalchiutlicue. Tepeyollotli, ruler of the inner forces of the earth, protected the budding plant from rotting or being stolen by birds. Tlaloc, the rain god, helped the seed break through the soil, after which the god of war protected the young plant and drove off the birds.

This feature is adapted from 'The Secret World of the Aztecs', by Ferdinand Anton, which is aimed at children aged 8 to 9 years. Published by Prestel at £9.95 hardback. ISBN 3-7913-2702-X

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