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What is Teosinte?

    Maize was domesticated from teosinte, a type of grass native to Mesoamerica. Teosinte is a hard seed, and it was used to make larger cobs and edible corn. The fibrous husk was used to make baskets, clothing, toys, and sleeping mats. Many strains of corn were produced in size and taste, but the number one breed of corn was yellow dent. Dent corn got its name because of the small indentation at the crown of each ripe kernel. Today, cornstarch is used as a thickening agent for everything from gasoline to glue, and it is processed into a low-cost sweetener known as High-Fructose Corn Syrup. The use of High-Fructose Corn Syrup has caused diabetes and obesity. Less resources were used when ammonium nitrate was sprayed on maize. Ammonium nitrate is a type of chemical in order to enhance the soil to grow corn at a faster pace. This process not only cut the period for growth of maize, but in the long run it polluted nearby water sources. Feeding maize to farm animals became inexpensive, as a result the price of meat was cheaper to consumers. 

Dent corn used in moderation is a healthy whole grain, a good source of carbohydrates. Corn husk are used to wrap food like tamales, fish, and sticky rice.



Corn is used to make popcorn, tortillas, tamales, pozole, tacos, and the list is endless. 



Dry Corn Cobb is used to make art.


Dry Corn Cobb is also used to wipe your tush! 











    

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