Sage-Tips

Is the fungus that grows on corn edible?

Corn smut is a plant disease caused by the pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis that causes smut on maize and teosinte. It is edible, and is known in Mexico as the delicacy huitlacoche; which is eaten, usually as a filling, in quesadillas and other tortilla-based foods, and in soups.

Why eat huitlacoche how is it different from other corn?

As far as the healthfulness aspect is concerned, huitlacoche offers more protein than regular corn and has high amounts of lysine, an essential amino acid not found in normal kernels. Many farmers outside of Mexico destroy infected plants, and new strains of corn have been modified that prove resilient to the fungus.

Is it safe to eat huitlacoche?

Yes, it’s safe to eat. It’s actually a delicacy. Not only is it safe to eat but there are plenty of ways that you can eat it & make it – from huitlacoche quesadillas to soups to tamales. You can eat it in a lot of savory and smoky dishes with some salt and pepper.

What is the name of the fungus that grows on corn?

The smut, from a fungus called Ustilago maydis, literally transforms each corn kernel into a bulbous, bulging bluish-grey gall. It is naturally present in the soil and can be lofted easily into the air and onto plants.

What is huitlacoche for?

The savory huitlacoche is used in tamales, stews, soups, corn patties, quesadillas and even desserts. It has become a sought after ingredient, served in some of the finest menus across the country – including the James Beard House in New York City.

What nutrients are in huitlacoche?

Composition of the huitlacoche ranged from trace (manganese: 1.91 mg/kg) to high amount (phosphorus: 342.07 mg/kg). However, it was rich in magnesium (262.69 mg/kg). The amount of calcium (18.61 mg/kg) and sodium (12.06 mg/kg) were also considerably high (Table 3).

What are huitlacoche in English?

corn smut
Pronounced whee-tla-KO-cheh, huitlacoche is also known as corn mushroom, corn smut or Mexican truffle. It is a fungus, which randomly grows on organic corn (not sprayed with any fungicide). It is rare, as it develops on the corn ears as they ripen after the rainy season or an errant rainstorm.

What is huitlacoche good for?

Are corn truffles good for you?

Huitlacoche Has Good Nutritional Value Interestingly, despite the fact that huitlacoche infects the corn, it actually significantly improves on the health benefits of corn. The fungus has notably more protein than healthy corn contains, and a far greater portion of lysine, an essential amino acid.

Can you grow huitlacoche?

Huitlacoche is a fungus that grows naturally on corn, but according to Jozwik, it can be notoriously hard to cultivate as a crop. “Pretty much every single farm field and agricultural field in the Midwest has this (fungus) already in the soil,” Jozwik said.

Where is huitlacoche from?

Huitlacoche, pronounced weet-la-COH-cheh, is a fungus that grows on ears of corn. It is also known as cuitlacoche, corn smut, and Mexican truffle. It is a plant disease that causes smut –multicellular fungi with many spores – to grow on maize and is a delicacy in Mexico.

How is huitlacoche made?

Also known as cuitlacoche, huitlacoche is a sporous fungus that feeds off corn before its ears fully develop. The contagion is usually brought forth by annual rainy seasons and results in bulbous, blue-gray growths that deform maize kernels into Frankenstein-esque galls.

What is GMO corn?

According to the EU, GMO refers to plants and animals”in which the genetic material has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally by mating and/or natural recombination.” Almost 85 perecent of corn grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. Even Whole Foods’s brand of corn flakes was found to contain genetically modified corn.

How much corn is genetically modified in the US?

Almost 85 perecent of corn grown in the U.S. is genetically modified. Even Whole Foods’s brand of corn flakes was found to contain genetically modified corn.

What are the health benefits of yellow corn?

Yellow corn is a good source of the carotenoids luteinand zeaxanthin, which are good for eye healthand help prevent the lens damage that leads to cataracts. Corn also has smaller amounts of…