Yo, ever heard of "Aztec caviar"? How about "Mexican truffles"? Bet you didn't know they're the same thing! It's called Huitlacoche and it's actually a fungus that infects corn. Yup, it's a corn disease! 😲
source : Wikimedia
So, huitlacoche (or cuitlacoche) is this gray-black fungus that grows on corn after a lot of rain. Normally, farmers try to get rid of it, but in some places, it's more wanted than regular corn. From June to September in Mexico, you can find it in markets right next to other foods. 🍴
Back in the day, people ate it because they had nothing else, but now it's a fancy dish in high-end restaurants. Crazy, right? It’s way more expensive than regular corn, about 10 times more. They even grow it on purpose now because it's so popular! 🌽✨
You can get huitlacoche fresh, frozen, dried, or canned. It's mostly shipped to the USA, Canada, Japan, and Europe. It tastes kinda earthy, sweet, and a bit like truffles. Plus, it's super nutritious—way more than regular corn. 🌱
In Mexico, huitlacoche is used in all sorts of dishes like tamales, soups, tacos, quesadillas, and sauces. It's even in some drinks! It’s also in cosmetics and medicine. Some people use it to help with digestion, heal burns, or even induce labor. Others use it as mascara or in face masks. And, fun fact, it’s also good for preventing cancer. 🥘💄
Empanada de huitlacoche. source : Wikimedia
History’s wild. What used to be poor people's food is now a gourmet delicacy. Who knew a crop disease could be so fancy? Would you try it? 🤔 #WeirdFoods #AztecCaviar #MexicanTruffles #FoodieLife