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Commonwealth Museum   Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin
Commonwealth Museum Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin

Food for Thought: Corn Meals


Native corn became the most important grain for English colonists although they also planted European crops of wheat, rye, barley and oats.


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“There is very good Bread made of [Indian corn] by mixing half, or a third parte, more or less of Ry or Wheate-Meale or Flower amongst it.”

– John Winthrop Jr., 1662

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English colonists introduced European grains to North America.
Grainy image: English colonists introduced European grains to North America.  
- Shutterstock

Nasaump, Samp and Indian Pudding
Native Americans boiled dried corn, berries and nuts, until it thickened into a porridge called Nasaump. English settlers called a similar dish “samp” and sometimes added bacon or sweeteners. Today’s “Indian Pudding” follows the tradition. While there are various recipes corn meal is the most important ingredient. It may be sweetened with molasses or brown sugar


A photo of Grist Mills

Grist Mills . . .

Nasaump, Samp and Indian Pudding

Indian Pudding . . .

A photo of apple pie
Today’s apple pies have a lighter crust than some colonial versions.
- Stock Photo

The Upper Crust
Pies were popular in Massachusetts and in England. Because of shortages, some reserved wheat for the more delicate “upper crust,” creating a popular term for the upper class.

An Act for Encourage the Raising and Importation of Wheat, 1754, highlighting legislation to increase wheat production for supporting the fishery and navigation in the province. Bounties were offered to encourage raising wheat or importing bread, flour, and biscuit.
An Act for Encourage the Raising and Importation of Wheat, 1754. This legislation was one of many attempts to increase wheat production. “Great Quantities of Bread being absolutely necessary to Support and carry on the Fishery and other navigation of this Province.” Bounties are offered to encourage “raising wheat or import or imports of bread four, biscuit.”
- Massachusetts Archives

Wheat
 English colonists prized wheat above other grains. The lighter texture worked better for breads and pie crusts. Unfortunately, wheat did not grow well in Massachusetts. Throughout the colonial period there were attempts to encourage the cultivation or importation of wheat. Not until the opening of the Erie Canal in the nineteenth century, was there an adequate supply from the midwest

Johnny Cake
 Although not precise, this term refers to corn meal flat bread, often a pancake. Wrapped in cloth it could be carried when traveling by native people and later by Europeans. Possibly “Johnny cake” is a corruption of the phrase “journey cake.”