Masa

Masa

Grain Good year-round
Used in 4 of 203 cuisines (2%)

Soft and pliable with a rich, corn flavor, masa is the cornerstone of countless Latin American dishes. Its warm, earthy aroma invites creativity, transforming into tortillas, tamales, or pupusas.

Where it comes from

Masa, derived from nixtamalized corn, is essential in Mexican and Central American cuisines, dating back to ancient Mesoamerican civilizations who revered corn as a sacred ingredient.

In the kitchen

Masa serves as a versatile base for various staples, allowing chefs to create everything from tortillas to dumplings, and its unique texture adds structure to both savory and sweet preparations.

Across cuisines

Guatemalan

Nixtamalized corn dough — the foundation of every tortilla, tamale, and chuchito. Made fresh daily across the country.

Belizean

Masa — the corn dough of panades and garnaches, the fried-tortilla street snacks. Source: Wikipedia (Belizean cuisine).

Nutrition (per 100g)

~364kcalCal
~8.0gProtein
~1.0gFat
~76.0gCarbs
~6.0gFiber

AI-estimated; model and run unavailable.

Flavor affinities

Seen in these dishes