Polenta vs Cornmeal: Difference and Comparison

It is confusing among people that Polenta and Cornmeal are used in place of one another, even though they are separate food ingredients or items.

Hence, their differences are required to highlight.

It is very surprising for many people, but Cornmeal is used to make Polenta, whereas straight-up Polenta is a Northern Italian dish.

They are used separately to make different food dishes worldwide, making them eloquent ingredients for taste and flavour.

The differences are meant to recognize their importance, places to use, and how they came down the history line to influence local and global dishes.

They are minor ingredients that can impact majorly what you are cooking.

Key Takeaways

1. Polenta is a cooked dish made from coarsely ground cornmeal, while cornmeal is the raw, ground corn product used to make polenta and other recipes.
2. Polenta can be served creamy and soft or cooled and sliced, while cornmeal is a versatile ingredient in various dishes.
3. Cornmeal has a longer shelf life than prepared polenta, which requires refrigeration and should be consumed within a few days.

Polenta vs Cornmeal

Polenta is an Italian dish made from coarsely ground cornmeal, boiled into a porridge, and often, later, baked or fried. Cornmeal, on the other hand, is a type of flour made from dried corn, used in baking and as a breading, and can be ground to different levels of coarseness.

Polenta is a Northern Italian dish, not an ingredient, but Cornmeal is one. In traditional days,

Polenta was made out of various grains, but as food developed through the years of taste and preferences, Polenta is now mostly made out of medium coarsely-grounded yellow corn kernels to bring out its essence and flavour.

It is coarsely grounded because finely grounded corn kernels have a high chance of making the Polenta pasty.

A pasty polenta can compromise the texture, consistency, and, importantly, the flavour of the dish.

Cornmeal, unlike Polenta, is made out of finely grounded yellow corn kernels, but it also includes coarsely grounded or medium corn kernels as well.

In the traditional way, Cornmeal was made out of stone-grounded corn kernels, and the people liked them due to their high rich in nutrients, but they eventually had to leave because they had a high risk of germ and hull.

However, there are modern grinding methods or methods, including the use of steel. This idea helps in removing the hull and germs and even extends the shelf-life of Cornmeal.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Polenta	Cornmeal
Composition	Polenta has a composition of coarsely-grounded corn kernels.	Cornmeal has a composition of fine, grounded different corn kernels.
Origin	The origin of polenta is mainly based in Italy.	The origin of cornmeal is absurd. It is an ingredient.
Preparation	Polenta is prepared by cooking it for 40 mins by constantly stirring it.	In the traditional process, Cornmeal is prepared through corn kernels by stone-grinding them.
Corn Kernal	Polenta is made of yellow corn kernels.	Cornmeal is made of blue, white, or even corn kernel.
Taste	Polenta adds no extra texture or taste and is simply a meal.	Cornmeal is known to have added texture and sweetness as taste in the meal.

What is Polenta?

The dish or meal polenta originates from a Northern Italian dish and is not considered an ingredient.

It is also a fact that Cornmeal is used to make Polenta, and the Polenta made out of Cornmeal is now considered the main form of Polenta.

It is surprisingly well-known across the world and in various types of dishes. In traditional days,

Polenta was made out of various grains, but as food developed through the years of taste and preferences, Polenta is now mostly made out of medium coarsely-grounded yellow corn kernels to bring out its essence and flavour.

Polenta is coarsely grounded because if it is finely grounded corn kernels, then it might have a high chance of making the Polenta pasty in texture which can compromise the texture consistency.

It doesn’t end here, as it can also compromise the flavour of the Polenta by making it pasty in nature.

As said earlier, the various grains of the Polenta included chickpea flour, chestnut flour, and buckwheat meal.

However, it requires constant stirring until the mixture thickens like porridge.

A thickened porridge polenta is tastier to eat and enjoy than the pasty-natured Polenta, which is smooth in texture and taste.

Moreover, after stirring for 40 minutes, the Polenta can be served by cutting it into equal pieces due to its thickened texture.

However, some people cut the polenta cooking time by using pre-processed Polenta, sold as instant Polenta or quick-cooking Polenta.

But other chefs state that the pre-processed Polenta that comes in packages compromises the flavour and taste to a major extent.

So, Polenta is made out of commonly used yellow corn kernels and is made out of only coarsely-ground corn kernels.

What is Cornmeal? 

Even though Cornmeal is made out of corn kernels like Polenta, there lies a thin difference as an ingredient. It is an ingredient and not a dish like Polenta.

Cornmeal is made from finely ground yellow corn kernels, but it also includes coarsely grounded or medium corn kernels as well.

In the traditional way, Cornmeal was made out of corn kernels that were stone-grounded, and the people liked them due to their high rich in nutrients, but they eventually had to leave because they had a high risk of germ and hull.

Cornmeal is used to add texture and enhance the flavour of dishes.

The Cornmeal that is used in different dishes could be a fine, medium, or coarse type, which is also used in cornbread and stews.

The list goes on, as it is also used in meat, muffins, and many more baked products due to its flavour-enhancing and texture properties that can make a big difference in your desired taste.

However, there are modern grinding methods or methods, including the use of steel. This fact helps in removing the hull and germs and even extends the shelf-life of Cornmeal.

Even though Cornmeal came at the time of changing the traditional way of making it, it was still perishable due to its fat content present in it.

Moreover, the Cornmeal is packaged in tins, and unless mentioned on the label, it is assumed that the commercial Cornmeal is a medium-ground type which helps in picking them accordingly for food and different dishes.

Their enhancement and flavour differ, so it is important to know the differences in different Cornmeal when made out of various corn kernels.

But fine Cornmeal has some texture in it; hence, stone-ground Cornmeal is indicated on the label but is not preferred as it can have germs and hull even though it is more nutritious.

Main Differences Between Polenta and Cornmeal

1. Polenta is made out of only coarsely-ground corn kernels, whereas Cornmeal can be made out of finely, medium, and coarsely-grounded corn kernels.
2. Polenta is made of commonly used yellow corn kernels, whereas Cornmeal is made of blue, white, and yellow corn kernels.
3. Polenta is considered a dish that mostly originates from Northern Italy and is not an ingredient. On the other hand, Cornmeal is an ingredient that is also used for Polenta.
4. The Polenta was traditionally made out of various grains like chickpeas and chestnut flour, whereas Cornmeal was traditionally made out of stone-ground corn kernels.
5. Polenta is considered a dish or simply a meal for people, whereas Cornmeal is used as an ingredient that adds texture, flavour, and sweetness to the dish it is used in.

References

1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13197-018-3177-z
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2006.00235.x