Maíz is more than a crop; it’s a sacred plancestor

Dec 11

Its journey from a wild grass to a global commodity is a story of Indigenous genius and colonial exploitation

The Ancestor Teosinte:
Maíz began as teosinte, a wild grass with a few small, hard kernels. Through sacred relationship, Indigenous peoples began its transformation ~9,000 years ago in Mesoamerica (present day Mexico)

A Continent-Wide Gift:
This sacred crop traveled throughout the continent, even reaching South America before it was fully domesticated. It was a gift shared among the people. Reaching full domestication ~4,500 years ago in Central America

The Genius of Nixtamalization:

This Indigenous scientific process unlocks its full potential

Kernels are soaked in an alkaline solution (like wood ash), which

(1) Unlocks full nutrients (like niacin), preventing deficiency diseases

(2) Softens kernels to create a fine, versatile masa

The Birth of a Staple:
This Indigenous Knowledge & Science made way for: Tortillas, Tamales, Atole-and so much more

Colonialism:
Then came a rupture, Spanish invaders saw the versatility of maíz and introduced it to Europe. This was the beginning of the exploitation and commodification of the sacred crop.

Modern Reality:
Today in the U.S. there are 90 Million acres of corn worth $91 Billion.

But what is it grown for?