Best Mexican Corn Varieties (64): A Flavorful Guide

Mexican Corn: Types, History, and Culinary Uses

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Published in 08-13-2024 Update 11-12-2024

Mexican corn is a fundamental crop for this country, due to its economic, social and cultural importance. It is a staple food in the Mexican diet, present in a wide variety of traditional dishes such as tortillas, tamales, pozole and many more.

What are the varieties of corn in Mexico? Mexican corn was domesticated from teosinte approximately 10,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. The ancient natives cultivated it and developed a wide variety of breeds. Corn was considered a sacred element and a symbol of fertility. Mexico is the center of origin and diversification of corn, with more than 64 different races. These breeds are distinguished by their color, size, ear shape, grain texture and flavor. Mexican corn races are divided into 7 groups:

a) Conical:
1-Arrocillo
2-Cacahuacintle
3-Chalqueño
4-Cónico
5-Conónico Norteño
6-Dulce
7-Cónicos Elotes
8-Mixteco
9-Mushito
10- Mushito from Michoacán
11- Negrito
12- Palomero from Jalisco
13- Palomero Toluqueño
14- Uruapeño

b) Late ripening:
15- Dzit-Bacal
16- Comiteco
17- Coscomatepec
18- Motozinteco
19- Olotillo
20- Olotón
21- Te hua
22- Negro de Chimaltenango
23- Quicheño
24- Serrano
25- Mixeño
26- Serrano Mixe

Savor the Authentic Taste: Mexican Corn Varieties

c) Sierra de Chihuahua:
27-Apachito
28-Blue
29-Serrano Complex of Jalisco
30-Mountain Yellow
31-Cristalino de Chihuahua
32-Gordo
33-Mountain Yellow

d) Eight Rows: 34-Blando
35-Onaveño
36-Harinoso de Ocho
37-Tabloncillo
38-Pearl Tabloncillo
39-Bofo
40-Western Elotes
41-Tablet of Eight
42-Jala
43-Yellow Zamorano
44-Ancho
45-Bolita

e) Early tropical:
46-Rabbit
47-Nal-Tel
48-Mouse
49-Zapalote Chico

f) Tropical dentate:
50-Celaya
51-Tepecintle
52-Tuxpeño
53-Tuxpeño Norteño
54-Vandeño
55-Zapalote Grande
56-Nal-Tel de Altura
57-Pepitilla
58-Chiquito
59-Choapaneco
60-Cubano Amarillo

g) Chapalote:
61-Chapalote
62-Dulcillo del Noroeste
63-Elotero de Sinaloa
64-Reventador

Corn is of great importance for Mexico since it is considered an invaluable treasure that must be protected and valued. It is part of the cultural identity of Mexico. and it is an important natural resource for food security. Mexican corn is an ancestral legacy that nourishes the present and has a promising future.

Source: Mexican Government Official Web Site