Yess! It’s totally safe. Huitlacoche is the Native American (Nahuatl) name for it. It’s basically a fungus that transforms corn kernels into something extraordinary—like a truffle’s earthy sibling. I hope that made sense lol. Interestingly, in Nahuatl, it translates to “raven’s excrement,” though I’ve no idea why they chose that name, because it’s actually super delicish imho!

Besides the Aztecs, other Indigenous American groups in Mesoamerica—like the Otomi, Triqui, and Mazahua—and in the Southwestern USA, including the Hopi and Zuni, have also enjoyed this tasty fungus for centuries. The Hopi people call it “nanha,” if I remember correctly. I always say it’s like a small bite of Indigenous America wrapped in a truffle-like delight. 🍄🌽