What was the primary staple of the Aztec diet?

The primary staple of the Aztec diet was a combination of corn, beans, squash, and chilies. This agricultural trio, often referred to as the "Mesoamerican triad," was fundamental to the nutrition and culture of the Aztecs.

Corn, or maize, was the most significant crop and served as a dietary staple. It was used in various forms, including tortillas and tamales. Beans provided essential proteins, while squash contributed vitamins and minerals. Chilies added flavor and nutrition, highlighting the importance of these crops in everyday Aztec cooking and their ceremonies. Together, these foods not only sustained the population but also were culturally significant, woven into rituals and the social fabric of Aztec life.

Other choices do not accurately depict the Aztec diet, as fish, rice, potatoes, wheat, dairy products, and meat were not primary staples for this civilization. The Aztecs were less reliant on animal husbandry and dairy due to environmental and social factors, which made the agricultural products they cultivated so vital for their sustenance.