Comments on: The Color of Corn and Cultural Values http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/ Genetics: Studying the Source Code of Nature Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:50:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: James http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/comment-page-1/#comment-4899 James Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:16:10 +0000 http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/?p=1382#comment-4899 Thanks Yassir, I'll be interested to give it a read if you remember the title. I was just talking to a friend who is spending the semester in Costa Rica, and we were talking about how it was strange to think that in a place so close to where maize was first domesticated, almost all of her meals are based on rice instead. Thanks Yassir, I’ll be interested to give it a read if you remember the title.

I was just talking to a friend who is spending the semester in Costa Rica, and we were talking about how it was strange to think that in a place so close to where maize was first domesticated, almost all of her meals are based on rice instead.

]]> By: Yassir Islam http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/comment-page-1/#comment-4897 Yassir Islam Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:02:33 +0000 http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/?p=1382#comment-4897 Jame,s I was trying to look up the book on maize that discussed this, but i can't recall it right now--if I do I'll let you know. its fascinating that maize is now a farm more important food crop in Africa, than in mesoamerica where it originated. Jame,s I was trying to look up the book on maize that discussed this, but i can’t recall it right now–if I do I’ll let you know. its fascinating that maize is now a farm more important food crop in Africa, than in mesoamerica where it originated.

]]> By: James http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/comment-page-1/#comment-4892 James Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:50:58 +0000 http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/?p=1382#comment-4892 Fascinating! I hadn't realized the preference for white corn in Africa was a historically recent event. Although I guess the whole history of maize in Africa can't be more than what, five hundred years? It's strange to think that prior to the 1500s the Eastern hemisphere made do entirely without corn and potatoes, and I can't imagine Indian and Thai cooking back then (without chili peppers). Fascinating! I hadn’t realized the preference for white corn in Africa was a historically recent event. Although I guess the whole history of maize in Africa can’t be more than what, five hundred years?

It’s strange to think that prior to the 1500s the Eastern hemisphere made do entirely without corn and potatoes, and I can’t imagine Indian and Thai cooking back then (without chili peppers).

]]> By: Yassir Islam http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/comment-page-1/#comment-4891 Yassir Islam Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:04:46 +0000 http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/?p=1382#comment-4891 An interesting post. One thing I've read is that traditionally Africans ate yellow and orange varieties of corn. During colonialism and particularly in South Africa, corn become a commodity and the standards shifted towards uniform white varieties for a number of market-driven reasons. That preference stuck so that white corn is now generally preferred over the traditional yellow types. As new orange varieties of corn with higher amounts of beta-carotene are developed for Africa, consumer preference will also have to be taken into account. But experience with orange sweet potato in Africa has shown that people are willing to eat these new orange varieties once they are learn about and understand its nutritional benefits. An interesting post. One thing I’ve read is that traditionally Africans ate yellow and orange varieties of corn. During colonialism and particularly in South Africa, corn become a commodity and the standards shifted towards uniform white varieties for a number of market-driven reasons. That preference stuck so that white corn is now generally preferred over the traditional yellow types.

As new orange varieties of corn with higher amounts of beta-carotene are developed for Africa, consumer preference will also have to be taken into account. But experience with orange sweet potato in Africa has shown that people are willing to eat these new orange varieties once they are learn about and understand its nutritional benefits.

]]> By: Nibbles: Patents, Wheat value, Maize, Perennial crops, Mango killer http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/2010/02/15/the-color-of-corn-and-cultural-values/comment-page-1/#comment-4753 Nibbles: Patents, Wheat value, Maize, Perennial crops, Mango killer Tue, 16 Feb 2010 10:09:12 +0000 http://www.jamesandthegiantcorn.com/?p=1382#comment-4753 [...] corn colour stuff from [...] [...] corn colour stuff from [...]

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