The secret behind this delicious blue corn tortilla chips, grown organically in the Great American Corn Belt. With a savory and satisfying corn flavor, this snack chip is great for dipping or enjoying straight from the bag!
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Blue Corn Tortilla Chips Benefits
The grocery shop has a large assortment of tortilla chips, and you could be wondering whether the blue corn tortilla chips are healthier than the standard tortilla chips.
The nutrition information on the label is quite similar, as you can see. Both typically provide 1-2 g of fibre and 2 g of protein in a 1 ounce serving. 15–20 g of carbs and 6–9 g of fat, largely from the oil used to fry them, are present in the same serving size (baked chips will have less fat). While corn tortilla chips don’t contain many vitamins, they do contain some trace amounts of minerals, like iron. The X element is actually because of what makes them blue in terms of their capacity to improve our health. It is indeed naturally occurring—not a synthetic food color!
Anthocyanins, a naturally occurring plant pigment that gives food its blue, red, or purple hue, are present in blue corn. Polyphenolic flavonoids known as anthocyanins serve as antioxidants and have potential health benefits.
In addition to having a healthy color, blue maize provides more protein than yellow corn and a lower glycemic index. The advantages of anthocyanins for human health are widely documented, despite the fact that the majority of studies using blue corn extract specifically are preclinical or in vitro studies.
Cancer Cells And Blue Corn
In numerous in vitro tests, blue maize and tortilla extracts slowed the growth of cancer cells.
Prostate and breast cancer cells underwent apoptosis, or cell death, as a result of anthocyanins from blue corn tortillas. Particularly noteworthy among these were triple-negative cancer cells, which proliferate and spread more quickly than other kinds of breast cancer. The scientists claim that because blue corn anthocyanins affect cell viability and the cell cycle, they may be used as adjuvants in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer.
For Brain Benefits, Wear Blue
Rats fed blue corn tortillas in addition to their regular diet demonstrated better long- and short-term memory in a preclinical investigation (compared to white corn tortillas and control food groups).
Your Metabolic Health in Gear
Blue corn extract increased HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels and lowered systolic blood pressure, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and adipose tissue in a rat model that mimics the human metabolic syndrome.
purple and blue foods
Anthocyanins, naturally occurring pigments, are what provide blue or purple hues to some fruits, vegetables, and even some grains. You might immediately think of things like grapes and cabbage, but did you know that there are additional foods that are also available in purple?
- Tea
- Rice
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower
- Carrots
- Asparagus
Can You Eat Blue Corn Tortilla Chips?
The more pertinent query is whether anthocyanins are healthy. Yes, the research reveals. It’s uncertain how much anthocyanins actually make it into the finished blue tortilla chip product. However, if you frequently eat tortilla chips, the cost may mount.
Is it more vital to inquire about the healthfulness of chips? The response is, not really. Stone ground corn is significantly less processed and may provide a modest advantage due to the higher fiber content of the chips. Generally speaking, something is less healthier compared to a whole-foods alternative the more processed it is.
Even going with the tortilla rather than the chip would be preferable. The only necessary components to make tortillas at home are usually maize flour and water. You may purchase blue corn flour online or at specialty stores if you’re preparing blue corn tortillas.
Include more blue, red (like pomegranates or cherries), and purple foods in your diet to make sure you get the highest anthocyanin content.
How to Make Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
Make these beautiful blue corn tortillas in 30 minutes or less! They’re fresh, rustic, and tender. All you need is 2 ingredients and a little water for the perfect base to serve with tacos, sops, and more.
Why You’ll Love This Blue Corn Tortilla Chips Recipe
- Quick: Make the dough, and cook each tortilla for mere seconds! Then, keep them warm while you finish the rest of your dinner.
- Easy: You just need to mix masa harina, water, and a pinch of salt together to make this recipe! Plus, it’s so fun to watch the tortillas puff as they cook.
- Healthy: Naturally vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free, blue corn tortillas are an incredibly nutrient-dense food.
- Rustic: Blue corn offers sweet, nutty, and unique flavors that pair well with hearty and spicy fillings.
Ingredients & Substitutions of Blue Corn Tortilla Chips
- Blue masa harina: For the highest quality heirloom corn, the best place to purchase your blue masa harina is Masienda. However, you can also find it on Amazon or at a local Mexican food market.
- Salt: Use fine-ground salt for the best results. If you only have coarse salt, dissolve it in the hot water beforehand.
- Water: Use warm water for the best results when mixing masa harina. Start with the recommended measurement, but you will need to adjust the amount added depending on your specific masa harina, altitude, and humidity.
Instructions
Step 1: Whisk The Dry Ingredients
Whisk the blue masa harina and salt together in a mixing bowl. Then, start adding hot water. Mix it with a spatula or utensil first so you don’t burn yourself!
Step 2: Knead The Masa
When it’s cool enough to handle, knead the dough with your hands until a ball is formed that’s sticky enough to stay together, but not coming off on your hands too much.
If the dough appears crumbly, add a little water at a time until you reach a playdough-like consistency. Similarly, if it becomes too sticky, add more masa harina.
Step 3: Roll Into Dough Balls
Break off pieces of the dough and form small balls (about 40 grams each). Roll each one between your palms until smooth, then onto the press they go.
Step 5: Press The Tortillas
Cut a zip lock bag into 2 pieces, and line the press on both sides. Place a ball of dough in the center of the press, and close the press down to form thin tortillas.
If you don’t have a tortilla press, press your ball of dough between the counter and the bottom of a baking dish. You can also use a rolling pin!
Step 6: Cook The Tortillas
Cook the tortillas on a hot cast-iron skillet or Comal for about 10 seconds on the first side, then 40-50 seconds on the next side, then flip it back to the first side until the tortilla puffs up.
If the tortilla doesn’t puff up, add a little more water to your dough and let them cook longer. It takes some practice!
Step 7: Keep Warm
Keep the tortillas wrapped in a tea towel or tortilla warmer while you cook the rest. Happy eating!
Blue chips are made from blue corn, and the natural color is from anthocyanins (also found in blueberries and other blue fruits). Researchers have found the blue version has a little more protein and a little less starch than the white.
Blue corn is botanically identical to yellow corn—but with one important difference. Its deep blue-purple color is the result of its rich anthocyanin content—with a concentration equal to or greater than the anthocyanin concentration of blueberries and a higher antioxidant capacity.
While blue corn cannot be eaten off the cob, it’s packed with health benefits and a strong nutty flavor, making it an ingredient with value beyond its usual role as a mainstay in tortilla chips. Blue corn is a type of flint maize grown in the Southwest, primarily in New Mexico and Arizona.
Compared with their pale counterparts, blue corn chips also ring in with between 20 and 30 percent more protein and 5 to 10 percent fewer starch, which ultimately makes them a more filling snack. And they generally have a sweeter taste than regular corn ships to boot.
Research has shown that blue corn products have less starch, more protein, and a lower glycemic index than the same products made with white corn, making them a better choice for people with diabetes.
Conclusion
Blue chips are made from blue corn, and the natural color is from anthocyanins (also found in blueberries and other blue fruits). Researchers have found the blue version has a little more protein and a little less starch than the white. The secret behind this delicious blue corn tortilla chips, grown organically in the Great American Corn Belt. With a savory and satisfying corn flavor, this snack chip is great for dipping or enjoying straight from the bag!
While blue corn cannot be eaten off the cob, it’s packed with health benefits and a strong nutty flavor, making it an ingredient with value beyond its usual role as a mainstay in tortilla chips. Blue corn is a type of flint maize grown in the Southwest, primarily in New Mexico and Arizona.
Compared with their pale counterparts, blue corn chips also ring in with between 20 and 30 percent more protein and 5 to 10 percent fewer starch, which ultimately makes them a more filling snack. And they generally have a sweeter taste than regular corn ships to boot.
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