Painted Mountain Corn: Colours Revealed

Описание: Painted Mountain Corn (Zea mays) has a wide range of kernel colours, including yellow, white, blue, purple, bright red, and dark red. The colours are due to a diverse collection of plant pigments. Anthocyanins impart the red and blue colours, while phlobaphenes produce the brick red colours and orange hues. Lower concentrations of these pigment result in lighter kernel colours, such as the white, cream, and yellow kernels.

The gorgeous corn cobs can be eaten fresh as sweet corn in July, but I chose to let them develop into mature cobs which I harvested in early September. The rich colours make them perfect for autumnal home decor. I plan to remove the kernels from the cobs and soak them in an alkaline solution to make home-made hominy. Contrary to popular belief, the colourful “Indian corn” used as Thanksgiving decorations in many North American homes is edible - unless it was treated with harmful chemicals.

Painted Mountain Corn is a legacy of the millennia of connection between indigenous people and maize. While controversial, it carries on the genetic lineage of this deep cultural and botanical heritage.

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