About Us
At Ancient Heirloom Grains we offer non-GMO Heirloom corn varietals from dried corn to fresh corn tortillas and everything in between in yellow, white, blue, red, and pink. We specialize in traditional corn tortillas using the centuries old Nixtamal technique, by steeping our dry kernels in a solution of water and calcium hydroxide (aka slaked lime), this is a nutrient enriching process, discovered over 3000 years ago by the indigenous people inhabiting southeast Mexico & Guatemala (originally using wood ash/lye). Because of this process nutritional value is increased, flavor and aroma are improved and mycotoxins are decreased. Our tortillas are made from 100% fresh corn masa made with just 3 simple ingredients: corn, water and a trace of lime (calcium hydroxide) and that is it. No extra venenos (poisons) like GMO corn and preservatives made up of acids that give tortillas that burnt rubber smell. We source our products from Oaxaca Mexico, from the same farmers whose families have been cultivating traditional maize for centuries. This enables us to collaborate with these farming communities, allowing us to share with you these heirloom corn varietals of the highest quality single origin ingredients. All our corn and beans are non-GMO (it’s technically illegal to grow genetically modified corn in Mexico) and grown with a diversity of regenerative practices (three sisters), unlike conventional genetically modified corn, no pesticides or fumigants are used at any point in harvesting or handling our products. The “three sisters” technique originates from the symbiotic growing of maize, beans and squash practiced by indigenous people throughout the Americas - the bean vine grows around the corn stalk fixing the nitrogen to the soil while the squash provides a shady ground cover that locks moisture and keeps weeds and insects at bay. These three sister crops, grown and eaten together, offer environmental sustainability and nutritional balance. We offer all heirloom single origin corn varietals, beans, hibiscus, and even exotic ingredients like Chicatanas, the infamous flying ants that make the best salsas. We also have Chef-Grade masa flour. This is a useful “just add water” approach that allows us to provide a high quality option for our customers without all the extra preservatives and other undesirable ingredients from the usual products on the market. Still the same quality, just let us do the hard work, all you will need is a tortilla press and a hot comal. We also have packaged tortillas for purchase in Retail and Wholesale options. Lastly we have fresh ground masa by the pound for any other applications you might need like tamales, gorditas, puffy tacos, sopes, and tlayudas.