Although corn naturally contains niacin (nicotinic acid, vitamin B3, vitamin PP), it was not bioavailable without the process of nixtamalization (soaking and cooking the grain in an alkaline solution, usually lime water, washing and husking).
The Maya used such flour to make various porridges and tamales (grated corn wrapped in corn leaves), which were later used in the cuisine of the American South to prepare mămăligă, among other dishes.
