Another one of my secret weapons for long distance running, is the Pinole. Pinole is a Spanish translation of an Aztec word often called “La comida del desierto” (food of the dessert) and is a form of parched corn.
It is toasted maize kernels, often in a mixture with a variety of herbs and ground seeds, which can be eaten by itself or be used as the base in drinks or juices. it can even be added to broth and soups if you like. Herbs and flavorings added to pinole include ground mustard seeds, ground chia seeds, ground cacao, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, achiote, and other grasses or herbs.
pinole – top right
In traditional use, native Americans will roast corn kernels in hot ashes until brown and then clean the ashes, pound it in a mortar, sift it, and then mix it with sugar. They ate about approximately 4 ounces diluted in a pint of water as a traveling meal. Here is Malaysia, I buy it straight off the shelf at the Village Grocer, Bangsar Village, and add it to my morning juice. It’s a terrific pick me up, and I don’t feel hungry at all, even after a strenuous morning. It truly is the breakfast of endurance champions.
Maize – Pinole photo credit: thehistoricfoodie.wordpress.com
Pinole’s nutritive value and long lasting effects on hunger, even during periods of intense physical activities makes it a good diet plan for marathon runners. It is a very convenient form in which you can carry a source of nutrition which can support a person for weeks without suffering any major intestinal or stomach disorders.
Pinole is roughly 11.5% protein, 8.4% fat, and 72.3% carbohydrate with a food value of 1,915 calories per pound. This is approximately 60% higher than wheat. This compares to wheat bread which has 9.2% protein, 1.3% fat, 53.1% carbohydrates and a value of only 1,205 calories per pound. It owes its “staying power” to its relatively high nutritive value. When only 4 ounces are combined with a pint of water instead of cooked, it swells in the stomach to give your hunger a very satisfied feeling for a long period of time.
so colorful…so you add into your drink?how does it taste?sweet?
not sweet at all! just a maze like taste