Maize flour

Cornmeal is a meal (coarse flour) ground from dried maize (corn). It is a common staple food, and is ground to fine, medium, and coarse consistencies, but not as fine as wheat flour. In Mexico, very finely ground cornmeal is referred to as corn flour. When fine cornmeal is made from maize that has been soaked in an alkaline solution, e.g., limewater (a process known as nixtamalization), it is called masa flour, which is used for making arepas, tamales and tortillas. Boiled cornmeal is called polenta in Italy and is also a traditional dish and bread substitute in Romania.

Maize flour, sometimes called corn starch, has a subtle, slightly sweet corn flavour and natural, fresh aroma. Often used to make delectable tortillas and the like, it can also be used in baked goods or as a thickening agent. The grain has been simply milled into soft yellow flour, with no added wheat starch or preservatives.

Benefits:

• Carbs: Like all cereal grains, corn is primarily composed of carbs. Starch is its main carb, comprising 28–80% of its dry weight. Corn also provides small amounts of sugar (1–3%). Sweet corn, or sugar corn, is a special, low-starch variety with higher sugar content, at 18% of the dry weight.

• Fiber : Corn contains a fair amount of fiber.The predominant fibers in corn are insoluble ones, such as hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin (2).

• Protein: Corn is mainly composed of carbs and fairly high in fiber. It also packs a decent amount of low-quality protein.

• Vitamins and minerals: corn is a good source of many vitamins and minerals. Popcorn tends to be higher in minerals, while sweet corn tends to be higher in vitamins.

• Eye health: Dietary intake of antioxidants, most notably carotenoids like zeaxanthin and lutein, may boost eye health.

• Prevention of diverticular disease: As a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, corn may help maintain your eye health. What’s more, it doesn’t promote diverticular disease, as previously thought. On the contrary, it seems to be protective.

Serving ways:

• Bread

• Muffins

• Doughnuts

• Pancake mixes

• Infant foods

• Biscuits

• Wafers

• Breakfast cereals

• Breadings

• As a filler, binder and carrier in meat products