Question: grits

[MaineNative]

When cooking grits yesterday (Quaker brand, new box), I noticed some dark brown flecks bubbling away in the pan. In watching TV cooking shows, I've never seen brown flecks in their grits. It's happened to me before and I'm just wondering if I'm eating an alternate source of protein (bugs!) and hope to get an answer from the grit experts. TIA

[ala-kat]

I am going to go and say they are not bugs if you have no reason to believe so. Grits do have the occasional dark grit in there, It is not that unusual but it wouldn't be but a few here and there. They are ground corn, and the occasional kernel may have darkened, and just got ground up with all the other corn.

[MaineNative]

Thanks so much for your response. Since Maine weather isn't very hospitable to bugs, I'm going to assume the flecks are part of the corn-grinding process. I'll keep them in the pantry for the winter but plan to move them to the fridge if summer ever comes!

[Zeldaz]

If you store grain products in the freezer for a few days before putting them in the pantry, that will kill any eggs that may be in there.

[Chocolatl]

I'm actually surprised you've never seen brown flecks in Quaker grits. I see them all the time. It's normal.

[ala-kat]

all that, and the TV shows have a budget for staff to 'sanitize' their grits, LOL. It is all about presentation... I don't have that luxury..I take 'em as I find 'em

[DEEP]

Chocolatl wrote:
I'm actually surprised you've never seen brown flecks in Quaker grits. I see them all the time. It's normal.

Ditto!

[MaineNative]

I have seen a few flecks in the past, but in this box, which I bought in the fall and just recently opened, there seemed to be more. Anyway, I'm gonna cook 'em, eat 'em & enjoy. I use lots of pepper anyway. LOL Thanks also for the freezer tip; I'll put the box in tonight.