One of the key factors that impact your tortilla quality — and your business profitability — is the type of Corn for Your Business. It may seem simple, but choosing the right one can be the difference between an average product and an exceptional one.
At Nextamalli, we know that not all corn is created equal. That’s why this Tip of the Week is all about how to choose the best corn for your business.
🔍 Why Is the Type of Corn So Important?
Each corn variety has unique characteristics: color, size, texture, starch content, and cooking time. These factors directly affect your nixtamal’s performance, dough quality, and the final taste of the tortilla.
Moreover, the right corn choice also impacts:
- Gas and water consumption during cooking
- Milling efficiency
- Product consistency and appeal
🌽 Tip #1: Define Your Commercial Goal
Selling tortillas directly to customers is not the same as producing masa for vendors or making tostadas. Before buying, ask yourself:
👉 What product am I offering?
👉 What texture, color, and flavor do I want?
👉 Do I want a traditional native corn or a high-yield hybrid?
💡 Example: White corn works well for soft tortillas, while blue corn is perfect for premium or gourmet offerings.
🔎 Tip #2: Understand Available Varieties
Mexico has over 60 native corn races, plus hybrid and improved varieties. The most common for businesses include:
- White: widely available, high yield, neutral taste
- Yellow: attractive color, slightly sweet taste
- Blue or purple: high cultural and nutritional value
- Criollo (heirloom): ideal for traditional markets
📌 The more you know about your grain’s origin, the better you can position your product.
🧪 Tip #3: Test With Your Equipment
A major advantage of working with Nextamalli’s ALITECH reactors is that you can:
- Adjust temperature and time by corn variety
- Achieve consistent cooking regardless of the type
- Measure real output per kilo of cooked corn
This allows you to compare types and choose the one that best fits your production and your audience.
📈 Tip #4: Evaluate Cost vs. Yield
Don’t just go by the sack price. A slightly more expensive corn may give better yield, reduce waste, and improve product appeal. Calculate:
- Masa per kilo of corn
- Gas and water used per batch
- Final product attractiveness
🔍 Nextamalli Fact: With ALITECH tech, you can achieve up to 2.2 kg of masa per kilo of cooked corn. Now that’s efficiency!
✅ In Summary
Choosing the right corn for your business isn’t just a purchase — it’s a strategy. It means planning for quality, sustainability, and profit.
At Nextamalli, we support you with technology that lets you test, measure, and decide smartly, so every tortilla you produce reflects the best of your business.
