Symbolic Importance of Corn to the Culture of India, Brazil, and Nigeria

Nutrition: Corn
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Nutrition: Corn
Corn, which is also popularly known as maize, is a widely consumed cereal across the world. It is extensively cultivated globally with many varieties that make it a common ingredient in processing different products for human and animal consumption. The Americas, particularly the US remain a global leader in corn cultivation with hundreds of millions of metric tons of maize produced annually. This paper first describes the history and spread of corn in the world. It then looks at the uses of corn in three different countries and its symbolic significance in these cultures (García-Lara & Serna-Saldivar, 2019). Finally, it looks at how distinct cultures have influenced its consumption in the US.
Corn was originally domesticated in Central America particularly in Southern Mexico. This occurred 10,000 years ago when indigenous people of the Americas began their cultivation in some valleys across Mexico. After its first domestication in Mexico, the cultivation of maize spread in waves across South America. The indigenous people of the Americas continued to cultivate plenty of maize varieties which they also cooked and processed. The increased maize production led to its spread to various regions through extensive trade networks in the Americas. In the US, Native Americans were instrumental in promoting maize cultivation. Further, the Spanish arrival in the Americas led to its introduction in Europe and other parts of the world. Since corn can grow in various climates many countries embraced its cultivation and over the centuries, corn has become a staple food in many parts of the world. Today, corn is used to process different types of products including beverages and biofuels (García-Lara & Serna-Saldivar, 2019). Its overall global production now exceeds wheat and rice.
India
India is a leading producer of corn in the world and the crop was introduced in the country around the 17th century. A significant proportion of the maize produced in India is used as poultry feed. It forms a major ingredient for poultry food for broilers and layers because it is readily available and has a high energy content. Corn has become a staple food for many people especially those living in the hilly and sub-mountainous parts of India. Corn is used in preparing various local dishes in India. First is Maize Soji which is an Indian dessert that is used in dishes like Dosa, Kharabhath, and Idli. The corn gives the dishes a tastier and aromatic flavor to locals. A second delicacy is Corn Pakora, which is a famous Indian dish. The snack is popular, particularly during India’s monsoon season. The teatime and starter Indian snack is made by mixing sweet corn with spices, gram flour, or vegetables. India also uses corn in the gum manufacturing industry. Corn syrup is used as a sweetener that adds flavor and taste to gums produced in the country (Murdia et al., 2016). Therefore, in India, corn is significant in preparing and enhancing the taste and quality of various dishes and products.
Nigeria
Maize is one of the most consumed cereals in the country and remains a staple food for almost all communities across Nigeria. The country’s south-western...