All About Cornmeal, Grits, and Polenta

While these three everyday corn products are very similar, they have specific histories and uses. Jack Bishop tells you what you need to know.

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[dennistennyson]

Corn meal mush was big in my house when I was a kid. I still love the stuff especially when it's fried in butter.

[MargaretUIUC]

Actually, only about 1% of corn grown in the U.S. is for human consumption as corn or cornmeal. 27% is used for ethanol for fuel, 46% is used for animal feed, and the rest is exported, used in industry, or used as a sweetener (high fructose corn syrup). (2020 figures from the World Economic Forum)

[thiersche]

This video just succinctly provided me with all the information I was searching for. Thanks again, ATK, for coming through!!!

[infinty]

I love seeing Anson Mills getting the love they deserve. I've been buying rice from them for years, I'm going to have to check out some of their other products.

[KoniB.]

I love Jack and all the knowledge that he has imparted over the years. I would not be a semi good cook without all his tips and tricks and suggestions of better, best, and great product info!

[jannie]

I use the Goya fine ground corn meal for making Scrapple (use ground breakfast sausage for the meat parts). It makes a great crunchy scrapple for fried eggs and hot pickled peppers.

[infoscholar]

I have wondered about grits and polenta. Now I know the difference!

[VictoriaReginaAnn]

Love corn bread and corn muffins. With butter….

[KenS]

I want to actually hit my head on something.

Grits are nixtamalized. Grits are more properly called hominy grits and hominy is corn soaked in lye, IOW nixtamalization. This "grits are just course ground corn" stuff is why you see packages labeled as both grits and polenta.

Yes, real grits take longer to cook but they are more nutritious and taste better than quick "grits".

[angelbulldog]

I'm southern (American) and all of these are great, except the polenta. I tried. Just couldn't, despite the similarity to grits, which I eat frequently.
Now I want cornbread. 😊

[gb]

Jack, you missed an opportunity to have Julia and Bridget taste test all of those dry corn products.

[jlastre]

Most corn is grown in the US goes to ethanol and feed. Ever wonder how we subsidize farmers? Case in point.

[TocsTheWanderer]

0:20 Not true, most of the corn grown in the US is used to make animal feed, the second highest use is for making ethanol, the third highest is for making corn syrup, then fourth is finally for making dry products like corn meal, starch, or grits.

[OneAdamAdam]

Thank you for showing wondrous Latinamerican food

[Marssz]

Funny, I was reading McGee's "On Food and Cooking" on just this topic. Good episode.

[robostyle]

Do people still cook samp? I keep some around and make it once in a while

[meltz]

I wish you would do a testing/tasting of red wine vinegars

[valevisa]

Polenta is the only popular dish in my country and everybody loves it.Not long ago it was the staple food in every peasant household.Nowadays bread took its place.

[Ezzell_]

Atkins Mills Hushpuppy mix is the best!

[jenniferestes]

What about corn flour/starch? I wonder what type of corn that comes from?