The world’s most popular staples

While more than 50,000 plants are edible, only a few hundred contribute significantly to global food supplies.

Just 15 crop plants provide 90 percent of the world’s food energy intake, with three — rice, maize and wheat — accounting for two-thirds of the total. These three are staple foodstuffs for more than 4 billion people.

Below are the top five staple foods worldwide:

1. Corn Yield in 2014: 1.03 billion metric tons

Corn is the most produced grain in the world. It is the staple food for the majority of people in sub-Saharan Africa, and is a prime source of carbohydrates, protein, iron, vitamin B, and minerals.

2. Wheat Yield in 2014: 729 million tons

Wheat covers more of the earth’s surface than any other crop. It is resilient and can be grown in dry and cold climates that will not support rice and corn. Wheat is the leading source of vegetable protein for humans worldwide.

3. Rice Yield in 2014: 741 million tons

As a food crop, rice may be even more important than corn. It is the source of more than 20 percent of all calories consumed by humans. According to the UN, it may also be the globe’s thirstiest crop: at least 2,000 liters of water are needed to grow 1 kilogram of rice.

4. Potatoes Yield in 2014: 381 million tons

Potatoes are the world’s number one non-grain food product.

Originally cultivated in the South American Andes, the potato was introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, and the starchy crop hasn’t looked back since. Currently, China is the world’s largest potato producer.

5. Cassava Yield in 2014: 268 million tons

A drought-resistant crop that prospers in poor soil, cassava is a starch-heavy lifesaver for people in low-income areas. However, the roots and leaves must be cooked to remove toxins that can be released by chewing.