Home›Dishes›Main Ingredient›MaizeIngredientMaizeCereal Grains, Pseudocereals and PastaReference and ClassificationVerifiedThe staple grain of Mesoamerican and, after the Columbian Exchange, much of world cuisine, known as corn in North American usage. Domesticated from the wild grass teosinte, it underlies the tortilla and tamale traditions of Mexican cuisine and, ground and processed with alkali (nixtamalization), was the nutritional base of pre-Columbian civilizations across the Americas. Maize was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago, and Native Americans planted it alongside beans and squashes in the Three Sisters polyculture. Since the Columbian exchange its total production has surpassed that of wheat and rice, although its protein is low in some essential amino acids.FactsMaizeConnectionsIn the Other AtlasesSourcesComments (0)Reader Challenges (0)FactsDisputedEarliest Documented Use, From (Year)Scholarly debate7000 BCE to 5000 BCE 1Genetic and archaeobotanical studies converge on the Balsas River valley of southern Mexico as the domestication site, but estimates of the exact date range across roughly two millennia depending on method, so a range is given rather than a single year.Origin RegionWell-attestedThe Balsas River valley, southern Mexico 1MaizeFilter Results19 entriesDish FamilyAllEuropean Grain and Starch Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Breads and Pastries (1)Latin American and Caribbean Noodles and Dumplings (3)Latin American and Caribbean Roasted, Grilled and Fried Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Soups (1)Latin American and Caribbean Starch Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (3)North American Breads and Pastries (1)North American Rice and Grain Dishes (1)Sub-Saharan African Grain Dishes (6)CuisineAllAmerican Cuisine (1)Argentine Cuisine (1)Chilean Cuisine (2)Colombian Cuisine (2)Cuban Cuisine (1)Filipino Cuisine (1)Ghanaian Cuisine (2)Honduran Cuisine (1)Kenyan Cuisine (2)Mexican Cuisine (6)Nicaraguan Cuisine (1)Nigerian Cuisine (1)Peruvian Cuisine (2)Salvadoran Cuisine (1)South African Cuisine (2)Spanish Cuisine (1)Era (Origin Period)All-8000 (1)1500 (2)1521 (1)1545 (1)1609 (1)1700 (1)1726 (1)1837 (1)1900 (1)TraditionAllBread Baking (2)Cacao Fermentation and Chocolate Making (1)Christmas Feast Traditions (1)Fermentation (3)New Year Feast Traditions (1)Nixtamalization (1)Street Food Culture (2)Wedding Feast Traditions (3)Format/TypeAllEuropean Grain and Starch Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Breads and Pastries (1)Latin American and Caribbean Noodles and Dumplings (3)Latin American and Caribbean Roasted, Grilled and Fried Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Soups (1)Latin American and Caribbean Starch Dishes (1)Latin American and Caribbean Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (3)North American Breads and Pastries (1)North American Rice and Grain Dishes (1)Sub-Saharan African Grain Dishes (6)CourseAllMain Course (1)Snack or Street Food (1)Soup (4)Dietary SuitabilityAllContains Dairy or Egg (3)Contains Meat or Poultry (2)Origin RegionAllAfrica (3)Argentina (1)Bolivia (1)Chile (1)Colombia (1)Cuba (1)Ecuador (1)El Salvador (1)Ghana (1)Honduras (1)Kenya (2)Latin America (1)Mesoamerica (1)Mexico (3)Nicaragua (1)Nigeria (2)Paraguay (1)Peru (1)Southern Africa (2)Spain (1)Sub-Saharan Africa (1)The Andes (1)United States (1)West Africa (1)Show ResultsBrowseCompareSelect all 19AjiacoMaizeBankuMaizeCorn on the cobMaizeGachasMaizeGitheriMaizeHumitaMaizeKenkeyMaizeLocroMaizeMole PoblanoMaizeNacatamalMaizeOgi (food)MaizePapMaizePinoleMaizePone (food)MaizePozoleMaizePupusaMaizeTacos al PastorMaizeTamaleMaizeUgaliMaizeConnectionsAssociated WithCorn Syrup, Ingredients Well-attested High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Ingredients Well-attested Expresses TraditionNixtamalization, Food Traditions Well-attested Source On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the KitchenHarold McGeetier 1Used ByAjiaco, Dishes Well-attested American Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source American Cuisine (Wikipedia)Banku, Dishes Well-attested Source Banku (Wikipedia)tier 3Bhutanese Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Bhutanese Cuisine (Wikipedia)Chicha, Drinks Well-attested Chilean Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Larousse Gastronomiquetier 1Corn on the cob, Dishes Well-attested Source Corn on the cob (Wikipedia)Ecuadorian Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Ecuadorian Cuisine (Wikipedia)Gachas, Dishes Well-attested Source Wikipedia, GachasGalician Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Galician Cuisine (Wikipedia)Githeri, Dishes Well-attested Source Githeri (Wikipedia)Guatemalan Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Guatemalan Cuisine (Wikipedia)Humita, Dishes Well-attested Source Wikipedia: HumitaKenkey, Dishes Well-attested Source Kenkey (Wikipedia)Locro, Dishes Well-attested Source Locro (Wikipedia)tier 3Mexican Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Larousse Gastronomiquetier 1Mole Poblano, Dishes Well-attested Source The Oxford Companion to FoodAlan Davidsontier 1Moonshine, Drinks Well-attested Mozambican Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Mozambican Cuisine (Wikipedia)Nacatamal, Dishes Well-attested Source Nacatamal - WikipediaNicaraguan Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Nicaraguan Cuisine (Wikipedia)Nixtamalization, Culinary Techniques Well-attested Source Nixtamalization (Wikipedia)tier 2Ogi (food), Dishes Well-attested Source Ogi (food) (Wikipedia)Pap, Dishes Well-attested Peruvian Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Larousse Gastronomiquetier 1Pinole, Dishes Well-attested Source Wikipedia, PinolePone (food), Dishes Well-attested Source Pone (food) (Wikipedia)Pozole, Dishes Well-attested Pupusa, Dishes Well-attested Source Pupusa (Wikipedia)tier 3Romanian Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Larousse Gastronomiquetier 1Salvadoran Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Salvadoran Cuisine (Wikipedia)South African Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source A Taste of South African Barbecue (Smithsonian Magazine)Amanda Fiegltier 1Swiss Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Swiss Cuisine (Wikipedia)Tacos al Pastor, Dishes Well-attested The corn tortilla the meat is served on.Source The Oxford Companion to FoodAlan Davidsontier 1Tamale, Dishes Well-attested Source Tamale (Wikipedia)tier 3Ugali, Dishes Well-attested Source Ugali (Wikipedia)tier 3Venezuelan Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Venezuelan Cuisine (Wikipedia)In the Other AtlasesOriginated InMexicoAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.Source The Oxford Companion to FoodAlan Davidsontier 1Sources1. The Oxford Companion to Foodtier 1Alan Davidson, Oxford University Press, 2014entry: Maizemaize Zea mays, one of the most important cereal crops in the worldUsed By: Mole PoblanoUsed By: Tacos al PastorWikidata: MaizeWikidata Q11575, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the SourceMaize (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaWikipedia, Maize, Lead section, domesticationMaize was domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 9,000 years ago from wild teosinte. Native Americans planted it alongside beans and squashes in the Three Sisters polyculture.Wikipedia, Maize, Lead section, spread and productionSince the Columbian exchange, it has become a staple food in many parts of the world, with the total production of maize surpassing that of wheat and rice.Wikipedia, Maize, Lead section, protein and niacinMaize protein is low in some essential amino acids, and the niacin it contains only becomes available if freed by alkali treatment.View the SourceOn Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchentier 1Harold McGee, Scribner, 2004Expresses Tradition: Nixtamalization, ch. on cereal grains and pasta, maizeLarousse Gastronomiquetier 1Hamlyn, 2009Used By: Mexican Cuisine, entry: MaizeUsed By: Peruvian Cuisine, entry: MaizeUsed By: Romanian Cuisine, entry: MaizeUsed By: Chilean Cuisine, entry: MaizeA Taste of South African Barbecue (Smithsonian Magazine)tier 1Amanda Fiegl, Smithsonian Magazine, 2010Used By: South African CuisineView the SourceNixtamalization (Wikipedia)tier 2WikipediaUsed By: Nixtamalization, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Nixtamalization, Lead sectiona process for the preparation of maize (corn), or other grain, in which the grain is soaked and cooked in an alkaline solution.View the SourcePupusa (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaUsed By: Pupusa, IntroductionQuote, Used By: Pupusa, IntroductionA pupusa is a thick griddle cake or flatbread from El Salvador and Honduras made with cornmeal or rice flour stuffed with one or more ingredients including cheese, beans, chicharrón, or squash.View the SourceTamale (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaUsed By: Tamale, Infobox main_ingredient field: Corn (maize) masa, banana leaves, corn husksView the SourceKenkey (Wikipedia)Used By: Kenkey, Infobox main_ingredient field: Ground cornView the SourceWikipedia: HumitaUsed By: Humita, Infobox main_ingredient field: Maize, maize huskView the SourceWikipedia, GachasUsed By: Gachas, Infobox main_ingredient field: Wheat flour, grass pea flour or corn flourView the SourceOgi (food) (Wikipedia)Used By: Ogi (food), Infobox main_ingredient field: Maize, sorghum or milletView the SourceGitheri (Wikipedia)Used By: Githeri, Infobox main_ingredient field: Maize, red beans, black beans, maize, lima beans, butter, saltView the SourceCorn on the cob (Wikipedia)Used By: Corn on the cob, Infobox main_ingredient field: Maize (corn)View the SourceLocro (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaUsed By: Locro, Infobox food/dish main_ingredient fieldView the SourceNacatamal - WikipediaUsed By: Nacatamal, Infobox food/dish main_ingredient fieldView the SourceWikipedia, PinoleUsed By: Pinole, infobox main_ingredient fieldQuote, Used By: Pinole, infobox main_ingredient fieldMaize and cacaoView the SourceUgali (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaUsed By: Ugali, Infobox main_ingredient field: Maize meal (also known as mielie meal, or ground white maize)View the SourceAmerican Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: American Cuisine, Wikipedia article textQuote, Used By: American Cuisine, Wikipedia article textMany practiced a form of agriculture revolving around the Three Sisters, the rotation of beans, maize, and squash as staples of their diet.View the SourceSwiss Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Swiss Cuisine, Wikipedia article textQuote, Used By: Swiss Cuisine, Wikipedia article textProbably the most significant changes occurred after colonization of the Americas and the introduction of now-widely used ingredients such as potatoes, maize, and cocoa.View the SourceGuatemalan Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Guatemalan Cuisine, Wikipedia article textQuote, Used By: Guatemalan Cuisine, Wikipedia article textMost traditional foods in Guatemalan cuisine are based on Maya cuisine, with Spanish influence, and prominently feature corn, chilies and beans as key ingredients.View the SourceGalician Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Galician Cuisine, Wikipedia article textQuote, Used By: Galician Cuisine, Wikipedia article textAgricultural products such as potatoes, maize, and wheat are also staples in the Galician diet, along with dairy and meat products from cattle, sheep, and pigs; Galicia's grasses are green year-round and are excellent for grazing.View the SourceSalvadoran Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Salvadoran Cuisine, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Salvadoran Cuisine, Lead sectionMany of the dishes are made with maize (corn). There is also heavy use of pork and seafood.View the SourceEcuadorian Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Ecuadorian Cuisine, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Ecuadorian Cuisine, Lead sectionIn the mountainous regions pork, chicken, beef and cuy (guinea pig) are popular and are often served with rice, maize, or potatoes.View the SourceNicaraguan Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Nicaraguan Cuisine, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Nicaraguan Cuisine, Lead sectionWestern Nicaraguan cuisine revolves around the Mesoamerican diet of the Chorotega and Nicarao people such as maize, tomatoes, avocados, turkey, squash, beans, chili, and chocolateView the SourceVenezuelan Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Venezuelan Cuisine, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Venezuelan Cuisine, Lead sectionFood staples include corn, rice, plantains, yams, beans and several meats.View the SourceBanku (Wikipedia)tier 3WikipediaUsed By: Banku, Lead sectionQuote, Used By: Banku, Lead sectiona slightly fermented cooked mixture of maize and cassava doughsView the SourceBhutanese Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Bhutanese Cuisine, Lead paragraphQuote, Used By: Bhutanese Cuisine, Lead paragraphOther staples include buckwheat and increasingly maize.View the SourceMozambican Cuisine (Wikipedia)Used By: Mozambican Cuisine, Article textQuote, Used By: Mozambican Cuisine, Article textThey retain some presence, though maize has largely displaced them as a staple food over the last few decades.View the SourcePone (food) (Wikipedia)Used By: Pone (food), Lead paragraphQuote, Used By: Pone (food), Lead paragraphPone could be made with corn, or some other main ingredient could be used like sweet potato.View the SourceComments (0)No comments yet. 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