What is nixtamalizado?

Nixtamalizado is a process that involves soaking maize (corn) in an alkaline solution, usually made with lime (calcium hydroxide), which causes the hull and germ of the corn to soften and become easier to remove. This process has been used in Latin American cuisine for thousands of years and is essential in the production of traditional staple foods like tortillas, tamales, and pozole.

The nixtamalization process results in several important benefits. First, it improves the nutritional quality of maize by making its essential vitamins and minerals more bioavailable. Second, it improves the texture, flavor, and aroma of the resulting corn-based products, making them more flavorful and easier to digest. Finally, it helps reduce mycotoxins (toxic substances produced by fungi) that can be present in corn, making it safer to consume.

In addition to lime, other alkaline substances, such as wood ash, may also be used in the nixtamalization process. However, the use of lime is most common due to its low cost, availability, and effectiveness.