What happened to Aunt Jemima cornmeal?
Following the brand's discontinuation in 2021 due to its racist origins, the parent company, Quaker Oats (owned by PepsiCo), renamed its products under the new name Pearl Milling Company. The cornmeal products previously labeled with the Aunt Jemima name and image were rebranded but largely kept the same formula. Consumers can still find these mixes on grocery shelves, identifiable by their similar red packaging but with the new Pearl Milling Company branding.
The ingredients in Aunt Jemima cornmeal
When searching for "what are the ingredients in Aunt Jemima cornmeal?", it is important to specify which mix is being referenced, as the product line included different variations for baking and cooking. The ingredients vary slightly between the basic cornmeal and the convenience mixes, which include additional leavening agents and flavorings.
Standard enriched cornmeal
For products like the original yellow or white cornmeal, the ingredients list is straightforward. The primary component is degerminated cornmeal, which is cornmeal with the hull and germ removed to extend shelf life. This degerminated process removes some nutrients, which are then added back in the enrichment stage. The ingredients for a typical enriched, degerminated cornmeal include: Degerminated Yellow or White Corn Meal, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, and Folic Acid.
Self-rising cornmeal mix
For a self-rising mix, convenience is the key feature. These products come with the flour, salt, and leavening agents already pre-blended with the cornmeal. The components of a standard self-rising cornmeal mix from the brand typically include: Enriched Bolted White or Yellow Corn Meal, Enriched Bleached Flour, Leavening (such as Monocalcium Phosphate and Baking Soda), and Salt.
Buttermilk cornmeal mix
Some specialty mixes are formulated with dried buttermilk to provide a tangy flavor and a more tender crumb for baked goods. The ingredients for a buttermilk cornmeal mix add dried buttermilk to the basic self-rising formula. The ingredients generally include: Enriched Bolted White or Yellow Corn Meal, Enriched Bleached Flour, Salt, Leavening (Monocalcium Phosphate, Baking Soda), and Dried Buttermilk.
Understanding cornmeal variations
Not all cornmeal is the same. The texture, flavor, and how it is processed can differ greatly by brand and type. The former Aunt Jemima products, now Pearl Milling Company, are examples of commercially produced, enriched cornmeal mixes. Artisan or stone-ground versions, like those from Anson Mills, offer a different flavor profile and texture.
Comparison table: Commercial vs. Artisan Cornmeal
| Feature | Pearl Milling Company (Formerly Aunt Jemima) | Artisan Stone-Ground Cornmeal (e.g., Anson Mills) |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | Degerminated to remove germ and hull for a longer shelf life. Enriched with vitamins to replace lost nutrients. | Stone-ground, preserving the whole grain, including the germ and its oil content. |
| Ingredients | Standard mix includes degerminated cornmeal, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin, riboflavin, and folic acid. | Usually just the ground corn itself, often from heirloom varieties. |
| Texture | Finer, more consistent texture due to industrial processing and degermination. | Can be fine, medium, or coarse, often with a richer, more rustic texture. |
| Flavor | Mild, with some variations noted as "buttery" or having a discernible, but not overwhelming, corn taste. | More complex, with a deeper, fresher corn flavor due to the presence of the germ. |
| Shelf Life | Longer, more stable shelf life due to germ removal. | Shorter shelf life due to oil content from the germ; often requires refrigeration. |
| Availability | Widely available in most major supermarkets across the country. | Available in specialty stores or can be ordered directly from the miller. |
The rebranding from Aunt Jemima to Pearl Milling Company
In 2020, Quaker Oats announced it would be retiring the Aunt Jemima name and image, acknowledging that the brand's origins were based on a racist caricature. The new brand, Pearl Milling Company, is a nod to the original company founded in 1888 that first produced the ready-mix product. This change addressed long-standing criticism and was part of a larger movement by food and beverage corporations to reevaluate and eliminate brand imagery tied to harmful stereotypes. For many consumers, the primary change is the branding, while the actual food products, including the cornmeal mixes, remain largely consistent in formulation. For more on the history of the brand's name, you can read about the Pearl Milling Company's history.
Conclusion: A shift in packaging, not product
To summarize, the ingredients in Aunt Jemima cornmeal depended on the specific mix purchased. The standard enriched mix contained degerminated cornmeal and essential vitamins, while self-rising and buttermilk versions also included flour, leavening, and salt, with buttermilk added to the latter. With the brand's transition to Pearl Milling Company, the formulations for these popular cornmeal mixes have remained consistent, meaning consumers can expect the same taste and texture they have come to rely on. The main difference lies in the packaging, which now reflects the new, inclusive branding rather than the outdated, stereotypical imagery of the past.
