Corn

Golden kernels of corn, a staple food crop known scientifically as Zea.

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Nixtamalized_Corn_maize_El_Salvador_recipe

Corn, known in many parts of the world as maize, is a cereal grain that has held significant importance for millennia. Originating from Mesoamerica, it has since become a staple in various cuisines worldwide and plays a vital role in the global food industry. Besides its culinary usage, corn has a rich history intertwined with various cultures, particularly among indigenous populations of the Americas.

Historical Background

Corn is believed to have been domesticated in southern Mexico nearly 10,000 years ago. Its significance in Mesoamerican cultures can be gauged from its central role in their diets, rituals, and mythologies. The crop spread to other parts of the Americas, and with the advent of transatlantic exploration, corn made its way to Europe and, eventually, other parts of the world.

Corn in Cuisine

From tortillas in Mesoamerica to cornbread in the Southern United States, corn's culinary applications are diverse. It's consumed in various forms, including as a vegetable when tender or ground into flour for bread and other baked goods. Corn also finds use in producing various products like corn syrup, a sweetener used extensively in processed foods.

Pre-Columbian and Post-Columbian Native American Cuisine

Native American cuisines, both pre-Columbian and post-Columbian, have corn as a foundational ingredient. It's integral to dishes like succotash, tamales, and pozole.

Tropical Agriculture

In tropical regions, corn thrives as a major food source, often supplemented with beans, squash, and peppers, forming a diet rich in essential amino acids and nutrients.

Corn Beyond Cuisine

While primarily known as a food item, corn has other applications. For instance, it's used as an energy crop, transformed into ethanol for biofuel. Additionally, corn has found its place in the pharmaceutical industry as a demulcent.

Other Uses: Corn as a Medical Term

It's worth noting that "corn" can also refer to a thickened callus on the foot, typically caused by improperly fitting shoes. This use of the term should not be confused with the edible cereal grain.

See Also

• Agriculture in Mesoamerica
• Zea - The genus of grasses which includes maize
• Grasses of Mexico
• Symbols of Illinois - Where corn is a recognized symbol.

External Links

• Official USDA Website

Corn Resources
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