Early settlers were introduced by Native Americans to such indigenous, non-European foods as turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, squash, and maple syrup. They and later immigrants combined these with foods they had known, such as wheat flour,[493] beef, and milk to create a distinctive American cuisine.[494][495]
Homegrown foods are part of a shared national menu on one of America's most popular holidays, Thanksgiving, when many Americans make or purchase traditional foods to celebrate the occasion.[496]
The American fast food industry, the world's largest,[497] pioneered the drive-through format in the 1940s.[498] Characteristic American dishes such as apple pie, fried chicken, doughnuts, french fries, macaroni and cheese, ice cream, pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs derive from the recipes of various immigrants.[499][500] Mexican dishes such as burritos and tacos and pasta dishes freely adapted from Italian sources are widely consumed.[501] Americans drink three times as much coffee as tea.[502] Marketing by U.S. industries is largely responsible for making orange juice and milk standard breakfast beverages.[503][504]