Highlights
1. Maize flour and corn flour are the same product, despite being referred to by different names in different countries.
2. Maize is a staple crop grown around the world, with a higher production than rice and wheat.
3. Corn flour is commonly used in Mexican cuisine, especially for making tortillas, and is also used as a thickening agent in soups and a substitute for wheat flour for those with gluten intolerance.
Introduction
September 9, 2013 Posted by Admin
Maize Flour vs Corn Flour
There are many different words used for finely ground powder obtained from the ears of the corn plant. What is called corn flour in UK becomes cornstarch inside US. Cornmeal is the name given to maize flour in US which is a thicker variety of flour obtained from maize seeds. The difference between maize flour and corn flour can be very confusing for someone coming to Europe from America. What is maize in the American continent becomes corn in many English speaking countries, in Europe. There are many people who think that Maize flour and corn flour are two different entities. This article takes a closer look at the two products to find out if there are indeed any differences between corn flour and maize flour.
Background on Maize and Corn
Maize is a grain grown in huge quantities throughout the world. Grown as a crop by the Mayans around 2500 BC for the first time, maize has become a staple crop around the world, more than even rice and wheat in terms of production. The Europeans came into contact with maize much later in the 15th and 16th centuries. It was known by different names that contained the word corn in them such as corn on the cob, sweet corn, field corn, etc. It is sweet corn that is eaten by humans naturally as it contains sugar in high quantities. In US, nearly 40% of the maize crop is used to produce ethanol for fuel purposes.
Uses of Corn Flour
Corn flour is the staple food item in Mexican cuisine where the dough of corn flour is used to make tortillas. One can find freshly made tortillas in stores in Mexico. There are many different food items that are made using masa harina that is the name of the flour made of corn. In many countries, starch derived from ground corn is used as a thickening agent in soups as it is tasteless. It is also used as a substitute of wheat flour for millions of people who have intolerance for gluten found in wheat flour. Corn flour is widely used in baking.
Conclusion
There is no difference between maize flour and corn flour. Even inside US, there are many states where the product is called maize flour while there are states where it is labeled as corn flour. The product is referred to as corn flour in UK and most of the commonwealth. It is in Canada that the product is also referred to as corn starch.
