There are several ways of how to say corn in Spanish: maiz, mazorca, elote, choclo, jojoto and marlo. Due to the fact corn is used in many ways and has such a long history in Latin America – in summary, the Spanish word for corn can vary from one country to another.
Why Is There More Than One Way To Say Corn In Spanish?
Corn is way more than just a plant in Spanish-speaking countries, it is a significant part of their culture, history, and traditions.
The importance of corn in Mesoamerica is reflected in the legends of the Maya, Aztec, Inca, and Olmec civilizations. It was a symbol of life, abundance, and sustenance. For over 10,000 years, corn played a vital role in shaping the way people ate and lived their lives, and its cultural significance continues to this day.
What is corn in Spanish Menus
When it comes to Spanish cuisine, corn is a ubiquitous ingredient – it’s literally everywhere.
- Tortilla de Maiz – Tortilla de maiz is a traditional corn cake that is a staple in Mexican and Spanish cuisine. This hearty cake is made from ground corn, water, and salt. It is often served alongside beans, rice, and other delicious dishes.
- Chorreadas – Chorreadas is a type of corn pancake that is popular in Costa Rica. The pancake is made from fresh corn kernels that are mixed with eggs, milk, and flour. Chorreadas are typically served for breakfast and are often topped with sour cream or salsa.
- Tamales – Tamales are a classic Mexican dish that are made by wrapping a filling of meat, cheese, or vegetables in a corn dough and then steaming the whole thing. Tamales are often served with a variety of sauces and toppings, including salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Tamales were also regarded as sacred food for the gods and eaten on special occasions, often made around Christmas.
Hungry yet?
Jared and I went to the Sonoma County Fair where they had a whole block of stands featuring Mexican food. One of the stands was selling corn on the cob and immediately the sign captured my attention. The bilingual sign read “Roasted Corn on the cob: Elotes Asados.” As a native Spanish-speaker I had never heard the word elote before; for me, corn on the cob translates to mazorca.
When I returned home, I decided to check the word elote in the Diccionario de Americanismos and I learned that the word comes from the Nahuatl, the indigenous language of the peoples of Mesoamerica.
But I also found out that there are more words for corn on the cob and corn in Spanish:
Spanish words are influenced by many things, including geography. For example, Nahuatl is spoken by about 1.5 million people in Mexico today. The majority live in central Mexico, particularly in Puebla, Veracruz, Hildago, San Luis Potosi, Guerrero, Mexico (state), El Distrito Federal, Tlaxcala, Morelos and Oaxaca, and also in El Salvador.
So a native speaker from Veracruz may describe corn as “elote” while someone from Chile may use “choclo” instead. “Choclo” (still talking about corn) is used primarily in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
What is the Spanish word for corn?
Yup – “maiz” makes the “corn” Spanish list too. While many Mexicans call corn “elote”, Spaniards and some Caribbeans and Central Americans call it “maíz”. (If you know these two Spanish words, a native speaker should be able to figure out you are talking about corn.)
Around October you might see “Maze Maizes” – “maize” and “maze” are homophones in English, meaning they sound the same but have different spellings. “Maize” refers to corn (from the Spanish word “maiz”), while “maze” refers to a complex web of trails that is like a puzzle and can be difficult to get out of. <-See what they did there? Word play for the win.
How do you spell CORN in Spanish?
The basic word, maíz, is simple to spell at only 4 letters. However, non-native speakers may be tricked if they hear it, and not understand that it is important to include an accent over the “i”.
How Do You Say Corn On The Cob In Spanish?
In Venezuela, it is “jojoto” but around Colombia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Spain, you’ll hear “mazorca”. In Mexico, you may hear:
“Dos elotes, por favor.” = Two corn on the cob, please.
How Do You Say Corn In A Cup In Spanish?
“Esquite”, also called “elote en vaso” (corn in a cup), is the common term for Mexican street corn and is a snack sold from food carts throughout the country.
So, what’s the difference between corn on the cob and “esquite”? It comes down to the corn: “elote” you are holding corn on the cob, while “esquite” is served in a bowl or cup with toppings so it gets turned into more of a delicious corn salad situation.
What Is The Popular Corn Drink In Latin America?
No, we are not talking about moonshine. There are many popular drinks in Latin America that are made with corn products.
Atole: A popular sweet and hot beverage in Mexico made by steeping brown sugar cane and cinnamon in water, then thickening with corn flour, and adding milk until creamy.
Champurrado: A type of atole (see above) that’s made with Mexican chocolate.
Chicha (morada): A fermented corn beverage that’s often called a Peruvian beer.
Pozol: A non-alcoholic, pre-Columbian Mexican beverage made from fermented corn dough and cocoa.
Tejuino: A drink made from corn dough mixed with water and piloncillo (cone-shaped unrefined cane sugar) and boiled until the liquid is very thick. The liquid is then allowed to ferment very slightly.
So no matter how you say corn in spanish, I promise, you’re going to enjoy the culinary experience!
Check out these other articles about the Spanish Language.
