Cornmeal vs Corn Flour

[Katrina-Sisu]

After 5 years I learned Finland has cornmeal (expect they call it corn porridge >:( Confusing lol.) I also read we have corn flour too.

What exactly is corn flour? Would you use that to make homemade tortillas?

Could you make cornbread with the flour?

Kat

[Shamrock1121]

After 5 years I learned Finland has cornmeal (expect they call it corn porridge *>:( Confusing lol.) I also read we have corn flour too.

What exactly is corn flour? Would you use that to make homemade tortillas?

Could you make cornbread with the flour?

Kat

You may find "cornflour" (or "corn flour") is what we call cornstarch in the U.S. That's what they call it in the U.K. It is a processed starch mainly used as a thickener, made from the endosperm of the grain.

The only difference between corn flour, cornmeal, and corn grits, as we know it in the U.S., is the size of the particle. It can be milled from the whole grain or degerminated corn (the germ is removed before milling to give it a longer shelf life - the oil in the germ goes rancid quickly).

Masa Harina is a special processed corn used for corn tortillas. It is made from dried posole (aka hominy). The corn is soaked/boiled in lime water. Then the bran of the grain removed and the remaining endosperm is dried and milled into flour.

You'll most often find corn flour (flour milled from whole or degermed corn) used in gluten-free cooking/baking. Corn flour can be substituted for wheat flour when making corn bread, BUT you'll also need cornmeal.

-Karen

[Katrina-Sisu]

Thanks a ton Shamrock! :)

Katrina