Nixtamalization of Corn. What is it?

[@richardglady3009]

Thank you for this wonderful and understandable lecture. In the Prehistoric American Southwest, the Native Americans used this process…the problem? They used rocks as manos ( hand stones) and metates (grinding surface) to complete the process. The stones left grit in the corn so as the Native Americans aged, they dealt with cavities and tooth loss. Their endurance in the face of such pain is admirable and worthy of great respect. Thanks, again, for all the work required to produce these professional videos. P.S. As a lover of Fritos, thanks to the Native American pioneers (someone had to be first) who discovered this process!

[@JYFMuseums]

Yes, teeth wear is commonly seen in human remains where grinding or mill stones are commonly used for the processing of grain.

[@jaytemplin9364]

An excellent video! As your scientist points out, experiments are ongoing not only with other grains but with beans and vegetables as well- a very exciting and important line of research.

[@penniecormier8770]

Very good lesson! Thanks

[@JYFMuseums]

Glad you liked it!

[@MariahD16]

I'm really looking forward to being able to harvest my corn this year so I can try this process myself. Hominy is one of my favorite foods, so being able to make it myself instead of buying it in a can would be a dream 😊😊

[@JYFMuseums]

Good luck! Let us know how it worked out.

[@JtownKat]

Great to see Lara out on site and in a video!

[@JYFMuseums]

We agree!

[@michelehumphrey852]

Interesting use of early chemistry. Another great video 😊

[@JYFMuseums]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@saml7610]

Good summary of the process. More stuff on corn would be super interesting, it's so culturally important for so many indigenous groups, it's at the core of the story of the people who first settled this continent. It was also very important to the European settlers, and informed their relationships with the native peoples. Also, it's nix-tam-al-ization, not nix-tam-al-IT-ization. Many people make this mistake so it's no big deal, but just for future reference and all that.

[@soniatriana9091]

@saml7610. I agree that the mispronunciation needs to be addressed because now others with then repeat it wrongly, as well. But - it was a nice video for people who didn’t already know this. I’ve known this my entire life - bc it’s part of my culture.

[@davidhanna7625]

Well done

[@JYFMuseums]

Well, thank you!

[@leoscheibelhut940]

Amazing! I knew about the nutritional benefits of niximalzation of corn but not that the process gives corn "gluten-like" qualities. Learned something great for my gluten-free kids in addition to the history.

[@JYFMuseums]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it and find it useful. 😊

[@billsummy2412]

Very interesting video , 🌽🌽🌽🌽👍👍🤠

[@JYFMuseums]

Thanks!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

When I saw the picture for this video, I thought “ya’ll are making hominy!” My mother was very into nutrition and so I knew generally all the things in it that made it nutritious. Also who invented it.

[@kathleendaugherty4218]

Very interesting. Is that how hominy is made?

[@Chilly_Billy]

Yes

[@JYFMuseums]

Yes it is.

[@soniatriana9091]

Also, black beans is being made into a dessert is sometimes cooked with ash - in order to remove all its skin before preparing the dessert!!

[@davidreed2135]

interesting,would this be the same thing as hominy ?

[@Chilly_Billy]

Yes

[@JYFMuseums]

Yes it is.

[@jaytemplin9364]

It is also used for things other than hominy- breads and tamales and more!