Purple Corn – Maíz Morado

Common Names: Maíz Morado, Purple Corn, Purple Maize, Zea mays L., Peruvian Purple Corn, Maiz Morado, Global: Purple Corn, Latin: Zea mays, English: Purple Corn, Origin: Maíz Morado

Latin Name: Zea Mays

Origin: Asia, Europe, South America, North America

Short Introduction

The growing conditions for today’s cultivated purple corn are very similar to those for ancient wild varieties. Modern breeding has increased its tolerance to specific environmental attributes, including temperature fluctuations. The minimum temperature needed for seed germination is approximately 10°C (50°F), while optimal growth is achieved by maintaining temperatures between 20–40°C (68–104°F) during the season.

Purple corn is light-demanding and requires generous watering to thrive. Its root network can penetrate several meters deep, depending on soil conditions. It favors deep, well-draining soils and does not tolerate sandy or dry soils well. Neutral soils are preferred and it is sensitive to excessive fluctuations in soil salinity. Seeds are sown in rows spaced about 50–70 cm (20–28 in) apart. In South America, the traditional practice is to sow corn together with pumpkin and beans in the same mound. The harvest can be for seeds or silage.

Detailed Description

Purple Corn – Maíz Morado is regarded as beneficial for the whole body.

Botanical Information

Purple corn (Maíz Morado) is a robust annual grass that can grow up to 3 meters tall, though it typically reaches around 1.5 meters. In dry regions, average height drops to about 0.5 meters, but specimens as tall as 6 meters have been recorded. The alternating, sessile leaves are 30–90 cm long and 1.5–10 cm wide, featuring parallel venation. Flowers are unisexual: the male inflorescences are arranged in branched panicles (often described as grape-like clusters along the main axis), with each spikelet base holding two glumes, which are not winged as in wild species. Each spikelet contains multiple rows of kernels, totaling from 60 to several thousand. The female inflorescences are two-rowed spikes or clusters about 1 cm wide, with 5–20 kernels per cluster. Purple corn is wind-pollinated; despite insects collecting pollen, wind remains the primary pollination method. The pollen grains are heavy, dry, and have a short lifespan. In the wild, purple corn can propagate only by seed. Through domestication, it has lost the ability to self-propagate, becoming completely reliant on human cultivation.

Origin and Distribution

Maíz Morado, a variety of corn with deep purple to nearly black cobs, was cultivated in the Andes and already known to civilizations predating the Inca Empire. Ancient ceramics, some over 2,500 years old, depict purple corn as ornamental design elements. Originating in South America, purple corn was gradually bred from wild varieties by indigenous peoples. Today, it is grown worldwide, particularly in Europe and the agriculturally developed regions of the United States, now the largest producers of corn in general.

Usage / Dosage

With growing global interest in superfoods, Maíz Morado’s popularity is on the rise. Traditionally enjoyed in its native region, increased global awareness and research have validated its “miraculous” benefits—long recognized by Incan culture. Supported by clinical studies, purple corn has become successful in world markets.

Maíz Morado stands out with its rich nutritional content: it contains a complex of B vitamins, vitamins A and C, and substantial amounts of minerals, with high levels of iron, calcium, and phosphorus. Purple corn is considered one of nature’s strongest antioxidants, helping protect cellular membranes and DNA from damage by free radicals and uncontrolled cell division. Clinical research and traditional experience recommend purple corn for anti-aging and prevention of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular events, diabetes, and obesity.

Purple corn is exceptionally high in anthocyanins and flavonoids, giving the kernels their intense color and potential to inhibit abnormal cell growth in certain cancers. Clinical trials show anthocyanins are particularly effective in easing symptoms—and possibly providing prevention—of stomach and colon cancer. Research at Japan’s University of Nagoya, led by Prof. Sheraiya, suggests compounds in purple corn help prevent colon cancer when consumed at optimal concentrations.

Traditional medicine recommends purple corn to regulate high blood pressure and hypertension, provide vascular protection for aneurysms and varicose veins, and improve circulation in peripheral tissues (boosting microcirculation), as well as to reduce elevated cholesterol. Folk healers report that purple corn helps protect against heart attacks, nourish brain tissue and cognitive function, encourage collagen production and support musculoskeletal health, and guard against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.

Dr. Malaspina’s research team in Peru found that purple corn’s active compounds, at sufficient concentrations, are highly effective for protecting connective tissues from degeneration, offer cardioprotective effects in high-risk behaviors (as studied in animal models), increase blood flow in smaller vessels, and may even help prevent wrinkles (thanks to collagen protection).

Additional studies published in Biophysical Research Communications by a Japanese research group highlight Zea mays (corn) for its potential in preventing type 2 diabetes and obesity. Certain purple corn extracts appear to activate genes involved in metabolic regulation of fat cells, providing further support for its use against modern lifestyle diseases.

Traditional medicine values purple corn for advanced inflammatory infections, cholesterol problems, insufficient brain blood flow, fragile capillaries, and vision issues (like night blindness or decreased acuity), as well as a preventive food for a wide range of conditions. As targeted support alongside traditional medicine, purple corn may help with obesity, cancer risk, stress, high blood pressure, digestive issues, diabetes, and nervous system disorders. It is also used to support immunity, enhance beauty, strengthen nerves, boost vitality, rejuvenate skin, promote heart health, lift mood, and encourage healthy blood formation.

Active Compounds

Purple corn is rich in B vitamins (B1, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12), vitamins A and C, and high concentrations of minerals such as iron, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. It also contains anthocyanins, flavonoids, moderate fiber, and storage polysaccharides.

Traditional Dosage

When available as a powder, Maíz Morado is typically dosed at 1 teaspoon (about 5 g) once daily, mixed into water, milk, or juice—best consumed with breakfast. For greater nutritional benefit, it can be added to any recipe using cornmeal. Some recommend combining purple corn with pineapple juice and cinnamon, but this is a matter of personal taste.