Page 94 - Almanacco_ENG_2014

Ark of TAsTearK oF TaSTEcoRn: diversity oR monotony?aldana gatti, hugo cetángolo, Julián cámaRa heRnández94 almanaCCorn, along with potatoes, has always been the staple food of the native peo- ple of northeastern Argentina. With their diversity of shapes and colors, cobs of Andean corn offer such a range of different characteristics that the varia- tion in the composition of the kernels is clear. There is a specific use for every type of corn. The indigenous commu- nities, who over time have preserved their traditional corn-based foods and drinks, play a key role in preserving a large number of varieties of this grain.tradition and modernityCorn spread to the rest of the planet following the Old World’s discovery of the New World, and today it is one of the three key grains that help to meet humanity’s food needs. But the genetic characteristics of mod- ern corn are different to those of the American continent’s heirloom and native varieties.The selection and refinement process- es to which humans have subjected corn have led to an increase in yield and a uniformity of output. Modern