Corn flour, properties and use

Corn flour, obtained by grinding the seeds of Zea mais, is rich in carotenoids, has an antioxidant action. It is suitable for coeliacs and used for the preparation of polenta and as a thickener. Let's find out better.

How cornmeal is made

Corn flour is obtained from Zea mais, a herbaceous plant belonging to the Gramineae family, originating in Central America, and spreading in Italy as early as the 17th century, is now cultivated practically all over the world.

In Italy it is also known as maize, maize, granone, frumentone . The corn flour is obtained by grinding the corn seeds, it can be ground more or less finely depending on the use to be made of it.

Properties and use of corn flour

Corn is a nutritious product, the same but not complete flour. The intense yellow color of the grains is given by a carotenoid, the zeaxanthin, with an antioxidant action.

Corn contains vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin PP . The presence of vitamins B1 and B2 is lower. The caryopsis is also rich in lipids, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, starch and fiber .

The most significant and important components of maize seed are represented by starch and proteins. Proteins (zein and zeatin) having a high content of essential amino acids are essential for the formation of tissues in the human body. Mineral salts ( potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, and selenium ) are also present.

However, maize flour is in fact poor in group B vitamins, not surprisingly, pellagra is a very common disease in those populations that consume excessive quantities of polenta or maize flour in general. People with celiac disease can consume food made from corn flour, precisely because the cereal does not form gluten in contact with water.

You can learn more about the properties, nutritional values and calories of corn

Cornmeal products

Finely ground, cornmeal is used a lot in the production of polenta ; based on the grinding of the corn, flours with different grain sizes are obtained.

Corn flour is also used for the preparation of flans, bread, tortillas, crêpes, pasta, desserts, breadcrumbs . Corn flakes are also obtained from the corn, or corn flakes produced by mixing cornmeal with water and other ingredients and corn chips, obtained from a mixture of corn flour with legumes. In certain regions, maize flour is also used to feed pets .

From corn refining, cornstarch or cornstarch is obtained, used in the kitchen as a thickener. Corn is used in natural cosmetics for peeling and scrub of feet, face and body. It is easily found in shops and supermarkets.

A recipe up your sleeve

Meliga pasta

Ingredients

> 200 gr butter;

> 200 gr sugar;

> 2 eggs;

> 200 g flour 00;

> 200 g cartoon maize flour (very fine);

> 1 teaspoon little yeast;

> the grated rind of a lemon;

> a pinch of salt.

Method

Beat the soft butter with the sugar until you get a soft cream; add the eggs one at a time; put a pinch of salt and the lemon rind, sift together the two flours and the baking powder, add to the mixture and work until it is homogeneous. Put everything in a sac-à-poche and form donuts about 5 cm in diameter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cook at 170 ° -180 ° for about 15 minutes.