At Zea Mays, we don't follow trends. We study the ancient patterns of nixtamalization and the ways corn transforms when given respect.
Our Operating Principles
We don't optimize for scale. We optimize for outcome.
We don't explain heritage with packaging theater.
We embed it in every chemical reaction during nixtamalization.
We don't chase trends in Mexican food marketing. We trust that people who care about quality will recognize it without performance.
Every decision—from corn sourcing to packaging material—answers one question: Does this honor the grain, or does it serve convenience?
When those conflict, we choose the grain. Every time
01
3,000+ Years
Process refined across Pre-Classical, Classical, and Post-Classical Mesoamerican periods. Still unimproved.
02
127% Calcium Increase
Bioavailable calcium created through alkali processing. Ancient food science at molecular level.
03
Zero Compromises
No preservatives. No artificial anything. No ingredients we can't pronounce in Spanish or English.
04
18 Years in Practice
Since 2007, perfecting batch consistency while maintaining artisan standards. Harder than it sounds.
Where We're Going
To become the reference standard for authentic nixtamalized corn products in specialty food markets across North America and Europe.
To be sought by restaurants where ingredient sourcing defines identity.
To occupy the space where tradition and precision intersect—without compromise to either.
We're building for permanence, not trends. In twenty more years, we intend to still be doing exactly this, exactly this well.
Craft
Precision matters more than scale. Every grain is chosen for purpose first, efficiency second. Corn is soaked in calcium hydroxide, creating chemical reactions older than empires. The masa is ground on stone that understands pressure, not speed. Even the smallest kernel is considered for both flavor and integrity.
Craft is not about beauty for attention—it is honesty in production, visible to those who taste closely. We've spent eighteen years learning that the best results come from patience, not compromise.
Taste
Flavor isn't just experienced; it is remembered. Zea Mays captures subtle layers and textures that industrial processes erase. We don't aim for loudness or flashy seasoning; we seek truth. Every grain, every crunch, every silence between bites is intentional.
Eating becomes a conscious act, a moment to focus on what corn has always been. When you remove what doesn't belong, what remains is clarity.
