The Inca civilization, at its height, extended 4,023 kilometers in length. The Inca emperor ruled over 12 million subjects. They accomplished all of this without horses, without wheels, and without a written language. How did they do this? By using the power of food. More specifically, they used very efficient food distribution and preservation techniques. The Incas worshipped the god of the sun, mostly because he gave them light and heat which was necessary for food. The Inca emperors, known as "Inca," were believed to be sons of the sun. Therefore they were thought to be divine and were of supreme rule.
             In 1408 Pachacuti, the ninth Inca emperor expanded their empire from the central capital Cuzco. His son, Tupa Inca, succeeded him and his rule led to the expansion of the Inca Empire almost beyond belief.
             Now, I know you're wondering how food comes into play in all of this? The answer is that the Incas were very ingenious. They would maintain storehouses of food scattered around the empire so that when the army traveled there, they would always have food available.
             Normally you would ask yourself questions like wouldn't the food rot away or spoil. The Incas developed the earliest type of freeze-drying. Potatoes, which were the center of the Inca diet, would be left out at night to freeze in the frigid weather. Then during the day when the temperatures rose the water evaporated. After a matter of days of continuing this process, it dried potato pulp, known as chuño, which was able to keep for up to one year without spoiling. A similar process was used on beef and called charqui. Which is now is popularly referred to as beef jerky. Another popular modern food came from the Incas and it includes popcorn. Although in those days, popcorn had a very practical use. This was that it did not spoil as quickly as many other available sources of food.
             Everything having to do with Inca food was efficient. For example, the llama, a crea...