What causes corn smut?
Common corn smut is caused by the fungus Ustilago maydis, which can survive for several years as spores in soil and corn residue. Spores are spread by wind or through water splashing up onto young plants. Spores can also be spread through the manure of animals that have eaten infected corn.
Is huitlacoche toxic?
Huitlacoche is a fumonisin, a carcinogenic mycotoxin produced by the fungus called fusarium ear rot. It inhibits the utilization of folic acid, lack of which in pregnant women often results in infants with spina bifida and, less commonly, acephalous infants.
How much does huitlacoche cost?
Instead, huitlacoche is a prized edible delight. Its price on the market—about $15 to $20 per pound—reflects huitlacoche’s culinary status.
Can you eat huitlacoche raw?
You can use huitlacoche wherever you might use a mushroom; choose the fresh white ones to eat raw, as in a salad. Fresh huitlacoche is soft and velvety, where the canned version is black and more liquid. The flavor is smoky and earthy, with a taste like mushrooms mixed with corn.