Recently I posted the blue corn tortillas I made after nixtamalizing dry blue corn kernels. Some people asked how I did it, and I responded, but I thought I could make a post just for this:
* 900g (2 lbs) dried corn kernels
* 9g calcium hydroxide
* 130oz water
- Rinse corn kernels to remove any debris (optional)
- Combine corn kernels, calcium hydroxide, and water in a non-reactive pot
- Bring everything to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 1 hour. (You should be able to split a kernel by pinching it with your fingernails)
- Allow everything to sit overnight (8-12 hours).
- Remove the corn. Rinse/wash the kernels by rubbing them with your hands gently.
At this point you have nixtamalized corn (nixtamal/hominy). To make tortillas, you can grind the nixtamal (I use a food processor). You can use the nixtamal to make pozole as well (it will need at least 1 more hour of boiling to become soft and puffed up).
On a side note, I’m a bit disappointed that the red color of the corn kernels didn’t hold up well. The blue corn kernels remained a beautiful blue color after the nixtamalization. I guess the red pigment and the blue pigment might react differently to the calcium hydroxide 🤨
by Thin-Inevitable9759