Huitlacoche is a traditional food eaten in Mexico. In America we see it as a disease (Corn Smut) rather than a food, needlessly spraying millions of pounds of fungicides into corn fields every year.



Ustilago maydis is a pathogenic fungi that infects corn plants, inducing a set of gene expression changes that cause corn kernels to "zombify", turning into large swollen "galls" or plant tumors that eventually explode with spores as they mature. These zombified corn kernels are edible and delicious, providing a boost in nutrition (with better quality protein and vitamins). Huitlacoche is being explored as a commercially cultivated crop by Rick Bayless and Mushroom Mike - but there are potential cultural equity issues at play.



Either way, I hope you learn something about this amazing fungus and are inspired to try eating Huitlacoche!

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