“””What’s the difference between grits and polenta, pray tell?”””
IIRC, hominy grits are made from corn kernels soaked in lime, then ground into a coarse meal. Polenta is made from corn and ground into a finer meal close to or finer than cornmeal. But there are countless variations and colors of both.
So as to not become a scholar on the subject, I’ll eat either whenever they’re offered.
Since you asked, here goes. Southern grits are medium ground, white, DENT corn. Dent corn has a higher percentage of the inner soft endosperm.
Polenta is made from course ground FLINT corn. Flint corn has a higher percentage of the outer hard endosperm.
The other major varieties of corn (maize) are sweet corn (yellow kernel and shoepeg), pop corn, and pod corn (Indian). The last is mostly ornamental.
Corn is not corn is not corn just as wheat is not wheat is not wheat. What it is used for depends on its protein content.
The chef is here. Good eats for everyone.
"Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam."
'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)