For thousands of years corn called maize,has been ground and used to make all kinds of breads. The corn we use today started out over 10,000 years ago as a plant called teosinte which grew in southern Mexico.
Teosinte was very different from the corn we grow today. The undomesticated plants were much smaller, bore only one cob and it’s kernels were much smaller and harder. It took thousands of years of human cultivation to get it as it is today. Evidence has been found to indicate that it was cultivated as far back as 6,000 years ago in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico.
The Aztec and Mayan civilizations used stoneground cornmeal to make tortillas and tamales. For many Aztecs cornmeal was a primary source of sustainance, consumed with beans it created a perfect protein. It has been used as a staple food around the world for many centuries.
In the United States the use of corn was introduced to settlers by Native Americans. While wheat crops thrived in the north and wheat breads were the popular choice, it was too hot and humid for wheat crops to thrive in the south. Corn crops were planted instead and did very well. Cornbreads became very popular as they were easy yo make. The original cornbreads were very basic being a simple mixture of cornmeal and water which was then baked over an open fire. Eventually other ingredients started being added, eggs,butter, and milk and that is how corn bread as we know it today was created.
Very easy to make corn bread, or corn muffins take only a few minutes to make and are a perfect as a treat on their own or as a side to a meal. Check out the video below for my favorite super easy recipe.
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