Funny that you should post about this. I just heard of this corn a few weeks ago on another forum, googled for it, found a source in CA, and ordered some seed (1 lb, only size sold in, but it was pretty cheap, $12 with shipping).

From the appearance of the kernels, I think it's a flint corn, so probably would be fine as cornmeal. I think ANY corn can be used in the milky stage as a fresh eating corn, although whether or not it tastes good is going to be a matter of culture and perspective (many people DON'T like sweet corns, but prefer immature field corns as "roasting ears.")

The only other thing I know about it is that it is said to take a long growing season, so this one I may plant in the flat about 4 weeks before transplant date.

It will be interesting to see what comes of it.

Dennis
SE Michigan

Is "Purple Peruvian Corn" the best phrase for google searching this variety? Is there a term I could google in Spanish? Is it different from 'Maize Morado'?

The drink is chicha morada. Supposedly the corn is extremely nutritious.

So where did you find the corn Dennis? My hubby would love for me to grow some and make some chicha morada from scratch.

Chicha Morada is wonderful. Strange as anything- I assumed I was drinking tropical fruit punch, until they said it was purple corn! They sweeten it with probably sugar, and everywhere I had it (in Peru) either cinnamon, nutmeg or allsprice was added, which I can't remember.

I found the seeds for the Peruvian Purple at a place called Raw Food World.

Unfortunately, when I went back to look it up and provide a link, it appears that they are out of it in 1lb packages, which was around $6 (shipping was about the same -- total was around $12). They have 5 lb and 10 lb packages at this time, which are $30 and $50 respectively.

I suppose anyone interested could always e-mail them and ask if they'll be getting the 1 lb size in again.

Here is a link that might be useful: Peruvian Purple Corn at Raw Food World

Thanks Dennis. I'll keep an eye out for later. Maybe they will restock.

I found a couple of items about the nutritional (antioxidant) qualities:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_249/ai_114820680
http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/abs/10.1089/act.2007.13210

Trade Winds Fruit is expecting to have seed by summer.

YOU CAN find this sold in some Hispanic stores still on the cob . for $4 per 14 oz or so . It can be used for food or to plant .