Coloured Corns: Red, Blue, Purple and Black - The 'New' Superfoods!

, y aren’t artificially coloured white or yellow corn. Red and Blue and Purple and even, Black corn actually exist.

se coloured varieties of corns have its origins far west, in countries of South America. Been cultivated re for more than 3,000 years, coloured corns used to be a major food source in ancient times for Aztecs. Still today, variety remains popular, being used in many local desserts and drinks. crop has a high reverence in place where it is called ' plant of remembrances', due to rich history associated with it.

Interestingly, it has been believed that if you take Purple Corn and plant it outside of Peru, it loses its purple colour. But, due to many vants of colonization, early explorers carried this crop to Europe and it eventually spre to rest of world. In India, people in rth-east have been actively cultivating and consuming se lesser-kwn varieties of corn from a long time. It can be majorly found in Mizoram.

Red kernels can be found in diverse hues of ruby, brick-red and pink tones too, depending on variety. It has a sweet, nutty flavour which intensifies on cooking. presence of high phelic content and anthocyanins is responsible for its distinct colour, which may be present in higher or lower quantities depending on colour.

(Im Source: Twitter)

A newly discovered member of super-foods family, coloured corns have immense health benefits:

• NATURAL COLORING NT

se corns have one of deepest shes of colour compared to foods founds all over world. In Peru, Bolivia and Ecuor, purple corn kernels, especially, are soaked in hot water and deep colour is commonly used as a colourant in food and bevers. It is a base for some classic dishes like mazamorra, a maize-based dessert and chica-mora, an alcoholic, fermented drink commonly enjoyed in continent.

• POWERHOUSE OF ANTIOXIDANTS

Purple corns contain 14 times nutrients found in regular yellow corn. Having double amount of antioxidants usually found in pomegranates and blueberries, se corns have potential to fight obesity and diabetes. red varities have 20% more protein and 350% more antioxidants than common white or yellow corn. Studies conclude that a particular anthocyanin - CG3 - is one of most powerful antioxidants in existence, found in abundance in se varieties of corn, making it one of super-foods which is gaining prominence fast.

• ANTI-ING, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES

Studies undertaken at a University in Japan inferred that CG3 h anti-inflammatory responses, inferring, consuming plant would significantly reduce any inflammations in body. Reportedly, when tested on rats during some or study, it significantly decreased number of carcigenic cells in m. Due to presence of a high amount of antioxidants, se corns have been associated with having anti-ing properties.

• IMPROVES NERVOUS SYSTEM, EYES AND HEART

Reportedly, eating se newly discovered variety of corns can improve functioning of nervous system, lower blood pressure and also enhance kidney health. One also has a lesser chance of developing any serious eye disease upon eating this food.

Both corns can be used just as regular corn. ded are aestic benefits that come with coloured corns. It ds more colour to dish and makes it more lively and interesting to eat. y look just beautiful!

(Im Source: Twitter)

WHERE CAN YOU FIND M?

Though t as popular as white or yellow corns, purple, blue, red and black corns can be found in abundance in South American countries - where y can be enjoyed as hot 'corn on cob’ dishes. In America, se can be seen converted into varieties of packed chips, popcorns or flours. Indians needn’t go that far though. You just need to travel far up seven sisters and discover this treasure. Grown extensively in Mizoram, se coloured corns are really popular with locals. It is used in daily cooking and also in a tritional desserts kwn as ‘Mim Ban’.

Did you kw about se coloured corns? Let us kw in comments below.