Index:
- A yellow ear with numerous qualities
- Between mythology and history: the origins of corn
- Pan sole, the mix for you!
Introduction
Incredible how corn can offer a tasty, fragrant and colourful product unlike the ordinary baked product.
Wheat has always been known as the best grain for bread making, but corn can be a good option as well.
Corn, scientifically called Zea mays, is a cereal belonging to the family of Graminaceae characterized by specific qualities which make it different from all the other cereals.
A yellow ear with numerous qualities
It is the corn kernels that are milled into flour and used for the preparation of many dishes.
Corn flour has an important role in the Italian gastronomical tradition. In fact, it is used for the preparation of polenta, in bread making and as an ingredient in various bakery products.
This type of flour gives a sweet taste that distinguishes it from other cereals and produces crunchy bread crusts, and crispy bakery products; not to mention its sunny yellow color which makes the products quite appetizing.
Besides being used in many culinary preparations, corn has some nutritional characteristics which make it a special food:
- it is rich in carbohydrates and therefore it has an energetic nutritional function;
- it is rich in starch and fiber;
- it is low in lipids;
- it is cholesterol free;
- it is a good source of potassium;
- although it is a cereal, It is a good source of iron ;
Moreover, corn has pretty ancient origins...
Between mythology and history: the origins of corn
Besides the fact that corn is used in cooking and baking, its origin dates back to about ten thousand years, when the Mayan population first discovered it.
In the Mayan tradition, corn had great importance because it was used for rituals and offerings destined to the god of corn, called Yam kax.
This god has the appearance of a young man and is depicted wearing a headdress resembling an ear of corn - a peculiarity that distinguishes him.
In order to better understand the importance of corn in our country, here are some historical events which were relevant for its commercialization in our territory:
- Corn was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the fifteenth century. During his journey to America, he came across this cereal and, realizing its importance, decided to export and commercialize it in Europe upon his return;
- corn had interesting productive potentialities, as it yields more than traditional cereals;
- armers began to cultivate it, making it an abundant and economic food both for farmers and for the lower social classes.
Today corn is more and more used in bread making. Thanks to its conscious and balanced use, it provides interesting characteristics to the products being prepared.
Want to find out more about our corn flour mixes?
Search for CORN in the search box of our menu, and discover which preparations contain it.
