If you've ever taken a walk down the snack aisle at the grocery store, you've probably noticed that corn seems to be everywhere. From chips and dips to cereals, soups, yogurts and more – it's in almost every packaged food product out there. You might be wondering why corn is so prominent in our foods today.
Let’s explore the history of how corn became such a dominant ingredient in many of our favorite snacks and dishes – as well as what makes it so popular among manufacturers now.
Corn’s History as a Food Source
Corn has been used as a food source for hundreds of years, dating back to ancient civilizations in Central and South America. The Aztecs and Mayans cultivated corn for its many nutritional benefits, often fermenting the grain to make beverages and mixing it into breads and other dishes. Today, corn is a dietary staple across the globe, providing key nutrients like complex carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamin C and B vitamins.
Why Corn Is in Everything
So why is corn in everything – from food to common products we use every day? It’s one of the most versatile, affordable and widely available grains in the world, making it a go-to ingredient for food producers. Its mild flavor allows it to be incorporated into many different types of dishes and the abundance of corn in global markets ensures that it stays affordable.
Foods Containing Corn
Corn is a nutrient-dense food, providing key vitamins and minerals as well as essential fatty acids and antioxidants. As such, it has become a popular choice for all sorts of foods like cereals, breads, snacks and drinks.
Corn is used in a variety of foods, both sweet and savory. Some common foods that contain corn include:
- Popcorn
- Corn bread
- Tortillas
- Polenta
- Masa harina
- Corn flakes
- Cereal bars
- Pizza crust
- Corn chips
- Ice cream
- Puddings and custards
Corn is used in many different ways when it comes to food. It can be ground into a flour and used in baked goods, popped and added to salads or snacks, boiled and served as an accompaniment to protein-rich meals, fried up to make chips, used to thicken sauces and soups, steeped and turned into a beverage or dried and ground down into masa. All of these uses demonstrate corn’s versatility as an ingredient.
Other Products Containing Corn
Corn is used in a wide range of products, from fuel and animal feed to cosmetics and medicine. Ethanol fuel can be derived from corn, and it is also used as animal feed for both livestock and pets. In addition, corn starch is often used as an ingredient in household and personal care products such as shampoo or toothpaste.
Corn oil can be used in many cooking applications, such as frying and baking, and corn byproducts are commonly utilized in the pharmaceutical industry.
