Does Cornmeal Go Bad? You Should Know This Now

Do you use cornmeal? How do you store it to last longer? It is an organic meal that can be used as an alternative for wheat flour. It is easier and simple to make. So, does cornmeal go bad? This is a question that we may be asking ourselves when we have the cornmeal in our kitchen cabinets. Most foods come with a shelf life that is limited. How long will the cornmeal last? The following information will help us to understand more about the shelf life and facts about the cornmeal.

We will look at the following:

Cornmeal

This is a meal or flour. It is made from ground corn. It is available in white, yellow light blue, or red color. The colors depend on the type of corn that is used.

It is fine and gluten-free. You can mix it with wheat flour to have a crumby texture. This can be used to bake corn muffins or cornbread.

If the cornmeal is ground coarsely it is known as grits or polenta. The cornmeal is used to make tamales, tortillas, fry bread, and even drinks.

It is referred as maize flour in some parts of Europe. Corn flour is cornmeal that is ground finely.

You can sprinkle the cornmeal on the bakeware to prevent sticking.

Making Cornmeal At Home

This can be made at home easily. This is better if you don’t want to buy from the grocery. The following recipe can help you to make your fresh cornmeal at home.

The required ingredients

Put the corn in the blender. Blend the corn until flour is fine.

Run the blender at high speed if you want the flour to be finer for about 1 minute.

The cornmeal is ready for use. You can use it to make following.

Uses Of Cornmeal

1. The Crisp Pancakes

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The required ingredients

• 0.5 cup of flour
• A cup of cornmeal
• A tablespoon of sugar
• 0.75 teaspoon of salt

• A tablespoon of baking powder
• An egg
•  A cup of milk
• Vegetable oil

• Mix the cornmeal, baking powder, salt, sugar, and the flour.
• Combine the milk, oil, and the egg with the dry ingredients.
• Stir the mixture until it is smooth. Add more milk or water if the mixture is too thick.
• In a frying pan, put ¼” of oil and heat over medium heat.
• When the oil hot, put some batter in the pan. Put some tablespoonfuls and spread it out.
• Cook it until it is brown and crispy on both sides.
• Repeat the procedure until the batter is over.
• You can make about the 15 pancakes.
• Serve with blueberries or bananas and enjoy this crispy cornmeal pancakes.

2. The Creamy Polenta

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The required ingredients

• 4 cups of water
• A cup of yellow polenta, medium grain
• ¼ cup of cream cheese

• 1.5 teaspoons of salt
• 2 tablespoons of butter.

• Heat the water and salt together in a 2-quart pan that is thick.
• After 5 minutes, add the polenta and whisk properly.
• Lower the heat and add the butter. Simmer and let the polenta cook.
• After 25 minutes, add the cream cheese and stir until it melts.
• Taste the polenta and add more salt if it is not enough. If you want it to be creamier, add more cream cheese.

How To Store The Cornmeal

The cornmeal can go bad easily if it is not kept well. It is just like any other food that is perishable. If you store it under the required conditions, it can last for about a year or longer when frozen.

It should be kept in a container that is airtight. Ensure that it is kept dry. The place should be cool and dry. If it is exposed to warm conditions, molds can easily grow in the cornmeal. If you want it to last for more than one year, keep it in the freezer using a container.

Storage Tips

• Store the cornmeal in a cool and dry place.
• Transfer the cornmeal to an airtight container once you open the package. You can also place the package in a resealable freezer bag.
• Put the cornmeal container in the freezer or fridge if you want it last for more than a year.

How To Know That The Cornmeal Is Bad?

After the expiration date, the cornmeal will lose its sweet flavor and the natural oils. The color and the texture will not be maintained if the cornmeal goes bad. The color will be moldy with some black spots. The texture will be clumpy.

Cornmeal is the flour that you get from ground corn. It can be used to make different meals in the kitchen. You can use it to make crispy cookies, pancakes, and others.

If the cornmeal is not stored well it can go bad easily. It should be kept under the right conditions. It can be stored for more than a year under the right conditions.

If you enjoyed reading this information, and want to learn more about other meals, you can leave a comment in the comment section.