Maize

"The history of (...) maize begins at the dawn of human agriculture, about 10,000 years ago. Ancient farmers in what is now Mexico took the first steps in domesticating maize when they simply chose which kernels (seeds) to plant. (...) The farmers saved kernels from plants with desirable characteristics and planted them for the next season's harvest. This process is known as selective breeding or artificial selection. Maize cobs became larger over time, with more rows of kernels, eventually taking on the form of modern maize."

Maize is sometimes called Corn. Maize a cereal crop that Native Americans originally developed but is now grown Worldwide where climate is suitable. Maize is less versatile than wheat and needs warmer weather. Maize was brought to Europe, from there maize spread to Africa, Asia, and other areas.

Mature maize is frequently ground into cornmeal and different cultures treat cornmeal differently. Latin Americas make flat bread from maize on its own or mixed with wheat flour called tortillas or tacos. People from the Indian sub-continent also make flat bread, also use maize on its own or mix it with wheat but call it chapatis. Cornmeal can also be made into a porridge called polenta. Unripe maize of the Sweet corn type is treated as a vegetable, it's boiled as corn on the cob or removed from the cob and boiled on its own. Cornstarch or cornflour in UK English is used to thicken sauces or puddings and gives a really smooth texture.

Maize tastes different from wheat and can help make a diet varied and interesting. Most of us eat maize, Cornflakes are really maize flakes.