Corn smut is an edible mushroom with delicious flavors that have been enjoyed by many cultures around the world.
What Is Corn Smut?
The term “corn smut” refers to both the disease itself and its fungi (the ‘smuts’).
The disease causes kernels of corn to turn blackish-purple when they develop into mature fruit bodies.
This coloration usually happens before the ears become fully ripe, making them less appealing to consumers.
In addition to causing physical damage to the ears, the presence of corn smut also has harmful effects on plants.
Corn smut spores may infect other crops or even cause plant death if it gets too close to a crop.
Once present in the field, corn smut spreads rapidly through wind and water dispersal.
If not controlled properly, corn smut can destroy entire fields within one season, as well as contaminate neighboring areas.
Appearance
Although corn smut does not affect humans directly, the fungus will grow in any area where there is adequate moisture and sunlight.
As such, the fungus thrives during wet weather conditions and produces large amounts of fruiting bodies that look like tiny purple corncobs.
These fruits contain dark brown spores that produce further infections after being spread throughout the soil.
It is important to note that corn smut only affects certain types of corn varieties.
One example is popcorn seeds, which cannot withstand the presence of this fungal infection.
What Are The Ingredients In A Corn Smut Recipe?
The main ingredient in a corn smut recipe is fresh ears of corn.
The corn must be harvested when it has just turned yellow, so that the kernels inside are still white, not yet developing their characteristic color.
You will also need some lime juice or vinegar (or both), salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
You may also need a small amount of water if you prefer your food less salty than traditional recipes call for.
Finally, you’ll want a large pot filled with water.
If you plan on making this recipe at home, you should wear gloves while handling the corn because the spores from the mold can cause severe allergic reactions in people who do not tolerate molds well.
How to harvest corn smut
To prepare the corn for use in a corn smut recipe, cut off the husks and silk threads.
Then remove any damaged corn as well as the silky inner coating covering the cob.
Next, wash the corn thoroughly under running tap water until all dirt and debris has been removed.
If you wish to make this dish more authentic, you could soak the corn overnight before using them in the recipe.
But we won’t recommend doing that since soaking might introduce bacteria into the mix.
Soaking isn’t necessary unless you’re going for authenticity.
How to cook corn smut
Next, place the cleaned corn directly into boiling water.
Cook the corn for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally during cooking time.
Drain the cooked corn and then add the lime juice, salt, sugar, and cayenne pepper.
Stir everything together and let the mixture cool completely.
Then transfer the corn to containers with tight-fitting lids.
Use plastic bags lined with paper towels to pack the corn tightly.
Place the sealed container(s) in the refrigerator for several days.
When the smut is ready to eat, open the container carefully and discard the contents.
Serve the remaining corn smut as a side dish or snack.
What Are The Steps To Make Corn Smut?
To learn how to cook corn smut, you’ll first need to find out what it looks like and where it grows.
Corn smut has a dark brown color and resembles a small ball filled with tiny black seeds.
The spores of this fungus grow under the husk of the ear of corn during hot weather conditions.
The best way to identify them is through a microscope or by taking a sample and sending it off to a lab for testing.
Once you know if your corn has corn smut, then you should start making preparations to cook it.
You will also want to consider your budget when planning this dish as it requires more than just fresh corn.
Here are the basic steps to follow along with our recipes:
- Remove any damaged kernels from the ears of corn.
- Wash all the corn carefully using clean water to remove dirt and debris.
- Thoroughly dry each piece of corn before placing it into a pot.
- Add enough water so that there is about 1 inch (3cm) above the level of the corn.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and continue boiling until the kernels become soft, but not mushy.
- Add salt to taste after removing the corn and allow it to cool completely.
- Pour off the excess liquid.
- Scoop out the kernels with a large spoon and set aside.
- Using a mortar and pestle grind the kernels to a fine powder.
- Place the ground kernels back into the pot and add butter, oil, and spices such as cumin, chili pepper, oregano, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, cardamom, vanilla extract, sugar, and/or honey.
- Cover and simmer over low heat until the butter melts, stirring occasionally.
- Strain the corn smut paste through cheesecloth and refrigerate overnight to let the flavor develop.
- When ready to serve place the corn smut onto plates and cover with melted white chocolate and sprinkle with chopped nuts.
What Is The Cooking Time For Corn Smut?
The cooking time will depend on how you want your dish to taste.
If you’re looking for something spicy or sour, then it may only take a few minutes.
If you prefer something sweeter, like caramelized sugar, then it might take longer.
Here are some tips to help you determine when to flip the smut over:
- When the bottom starts to turn golden brown (around 5 minutes)
- Once the bottom is completely done, add more butter and continue cooking until all sides are golden brown (approximately 10-15 minutes).
How to tell if Corn Smut Is Done Cooking
You should let your dish rest for at least 3-5 minutes before serving so any moisture from the mushrooms evaporates.
The best way to do this is to cover your pan with aluminum foil, or put a lid on top of the pot.
You don’t need anything fancy, just a simple kitchen towel or paper towels will work fine.
Once you remove them, lift up the edges and peek inside to see if there are any remaining liquid bubbles.
If there aren’t anymore, then they are ready!
What Is The Temperature To Cook Corn Smut?
The optimal temperature range for cooking corn smut is 350 degrees Fahrenheit (177° Celsius).
The corn smut will not grow at temperatures below 250 degrees Fahrenheit (121°C) or above 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149° C), so it’s important to keep your corn smut cooking within those parameters.
It takes less than 24 hours to prepare corn smut.
After you remove the husk from the ears of corn, cut them open using clean scissors or kitchen shears.
You may also use a knife if you don’t mind cutting yourself.
Remove all the kernels from inside the cob, then soak the cobs overnight in a bowl full of water.
Next, drain the water out of the bowls, rinse off any remaining kernels, then place the cobs back into the same bowl.
Repeat this process again, but this time add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of salt per gallon (4 liters) of water.
Let these sit until they are completely submerged in salty water, about 12-24 hours.
Then rinse the cobs once more, and let dry thoroughly before placing them into an airtight container.
Place the container inside another airtight container, and store both containers away somewhere where there is no moisture, such as under the refrigerator door.
What Is The Yield Of This Corn Smut Recipe?
The yield of this corn smut recipe will depend on how much you harvest from your garden or farm.
If you grow your own corn, then the amount harvested should match what you planted.
However, if you buy organic field-grown corn, it may not always be possible to tell whether it was grown organically or not.
If you purchased corn that has already been treated with chemicals, then the yield could vary depending on how much of the chemical treatment made its way into the corn.
Even though some varieties of corn are more susceptible to diseases than others, all corn contains enough nutrients to make this recipe work.
This recipe makes about 4 cups (1 liter) of corn smut.
The yield depends on the size of each ear of corn, so there’s no exact formula for estimating yield.
What Are Some Serving Suggestions For Corn Smut?
This dish has a rich history dating back to the Aztecs who served it at parties as a special treat.
The Aztecs believed corn smut was sacred because they thought it brought good luck.
Corn smut was also eaten by those living along rivers where it grew abundantly.
They would take their harvest to town and sell them in order to make money.
People would then pay more for these mushrooms than other foods such as meat or eggs.
The main reason people enjoy corn smut today is its unique flavor.
It tastes like sweet corn mixed with bacon and chocolate.
It is very popular among vegetarians, vegans, and even non-vegetarian eaters alike!
How much should you cook corn smut?
You will need two cups of water per ear of corn for cooking.
You may want to add one cup of sugar if your corn smut is not already sweet enough.
Once boiled, let cool completely before removing from heat.
Then, cut off the tip end of each cob and carefully remove the silk using tweezers.
Place cobs in a large bowl filled with cold water until ready to use.
Remove stalks and leaves from kernels.
Remove any remaining outer husks from the ears.
Rinse well under running water to get rid of dirt, debris, and insects.
Cut the kernels away from the cob leaving about half an inch of the cob attached.
Then place the corn in a pot and cover with boiling water.
Cook over medium high heat for 15 minutes.
After 15 minutes, drain excess liquid and discard.
Return corn to the pot and repeat process twice again (15 minutes total).
Repeat another time after draining.
Once all three times have passed, drain excess moisture and set aside.
Next, remove the husk and silk from the stalks and leave whole.
Add the husked corn stems and leaves into the boiling water.
Boil for 20 minutes.
Drain and return to the pan.
Add sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and butter.
Stir thoroughly so everything is combined evenly.
Cover with plastic wrap and set aside overnight.
When done, strain out any pulp left behind and serve warm.
What Are Some Tips For Making Corn Smut?
There are several different types of corn smuts, but most people will refer to them as “Mexican mushrooms” or “mushrooms from the Yucatan.”
These varieties include the black Mexican corn smut (which has black caps), white Mexican corn smut (white caps), and the yellow Mexican corn smut (yellow caps).
They all grow on corn kernels, and they’re typically found growing in wet soil.
What Are Some Common Mistakes When Making Corn Smut?
If you’re thinking about trying to make your own corn smut at home, there are several things you should know before doing so.
First, it takes time.
Corn smut is a slow-growing fungus that can take up to six months to grow from spores into mushrooms.
If you try to harvest them too early, they will not develop properly.
Second, you need certain conditions for it to thrive.
The ideal temperature range for growing corn smut is between 70°F (21°C) and 95°F (35°C).
You also need plenty of moisture and nitrogen in the soil.
If you don’t provide these nutrients, then the fungi won’t grow as well.
Third, you must wait until the right season arrives.
When all three factors are met, then the corn smut will start developing.
Lastly, if you want to eat the corn smut, you must pick them when they’re ripe or else they will turn brown and lose their flavor.
If you plan to buy corn smut rather than make it yourself, make sure it has been harvested within 24 hours of being picked.
1. Don’t use pesticides
Pesticides kill off other organisms which could otherwise help cultivate your crops.
Corn smut thrives best in an environment without any competition, so using pesticides means that there would be less of this fungal growth.
2. Keep your soil healthy
The ideal conditions for cultivating corn smut require rich soils full of organic matter such as composted manure.
Soil that isn’t well maintained will lack essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.
These elements are necessary for corn smut to grow properly, so you must ensure that your plants get enough of each one.
3. Avoid over watering
Over-watering causes your plants to dry out quickly.
This leads to stress, which makes it harder for the fungi to form.
Once the corn smut starts forming, it needs ample water to continue growing.
Water the roots first, then let the leaves breathe.
4. Choose your location wisely
It might seem obvious, but corn smut doesn’t flourish in hot climates.
In fact, the ideal temperatures for its development are cooler ones between 60°F and 85°F (15°C – 29°C), depending on what kind of corn smut you’re looking to grow.
You may think that the colder weather is better because you live closer to Canada.
However, corn smut requires consistent humidity levels to thrive, and cold air tends to dry out the soil faster.
As a result, the fungi cannot survive in those areas.
5. Grow your plants in the shade
This goes back to keeping your soil healthy.
Plants that receive direct sunlight tend to dry out much quicker than those that are shaded.
They also need more light in order to produce new shoots and leaves.
By placing your plants under trees or near bushes where they aren’t exposed to direct sunlight, you give them a chance to thrive.
6. Use the right fertilizer
There are two types of fertilizers that are commonly used in farming.
Synthetic fertilizers are derived from petrochemicals and are made through chemical reactions.
Natural fertilizers consist of plant materials that were grown organically.
Both kinds of fertilizers are important in helping your plants grow and thrive, but only natural ones contain the proper amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium required for corn smut cultivation.
7. Plant your seeds
Growing corn smut involves planting the seed of a specific species of corn.
There are dozens of different varieties available, and most of them come from North America.
Some of the most popular include “Big Bantam,” “White Dent,” and “Northern Dancer.”
Each breed differs slightly in terms of how fast it grows, and how large the fruit will become.
Some of these varieties even have names that incorporate the word ‘smut’!
8. Wait until the right time comes
As stated earlier, corn smut requires a number of environmental conditions in order to grow.
One of the biggest problems people face is understanding when the correct season is.
For example, some growers believe that corn smut is ready to harvest once the kernels begin turning yellow.
While this happens, the fungi are still maturing slowly.
Where Can I Find More Information On Corn Smut
You can learn about corn smut at Corn Smut Mushroom Recipes, where you’ll find recipes like this one:
- Grilled Corn Smut Mushrooms
- Black Bean Soup with Corn Smut Mushrooms
- Smoked Pork Loin Stuffed with Corn Smut Mushrooms
- Creamy Polenta with Corn Smut Mushrooms & Bacon
- Sesame-Crusted Fried Eggplant with Corn Smut Mushrooms
If you want to know even more, you should check out these resources:
- The University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension has a great article called “How to Identify and Harvest Corn Smut Fungi”
- Corn Smut Mushroom Recipes provides detailed instructions on how to identify and harvest your own corn smut mushrooms
- Mycology.org includes a section devoted to corn smut fungi
- Mushroom Expert shares a video demonstrating how to prepare corn smut mushrooms for cooking
Equipment
- 1 Pan
Ingredients
- 2000 g fresh Huitlacoche Corn Smut Mold Fungus
- 10 g garlic
- 60 g onion
- 500 ml broth
- 30 g butter
- 5 g salt
- 1 g ground black pepper
Toppings
- 10 g sauteed Huitlacoche
- 1 g fresh epazote
- 2 g fresh edible decorative flowers
- 10 g crunchy fried Duck fat
- 10 ml sour cream
Instructions
- Heat up a pan and add the butter, onion and garlic and saute all for 3 minutes.
- After that, Add all of the condiments and the Huitlacoche and saute all for 2 more minutes
- Next , Add the broth and let all cook for 4 minutes.
- Bland and strain all back to a cooking pot.
- Cook all for 2 more minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.