{"product_id":"montana-morado-maize-corn-seeds","title":"Montana Morado Maize \"Purple Corn\" (Zea mays) Organic Seeds – Deep Purple Kernels, Drought-Resistant, Antioxidant-Rich, Great for Flour \u0026 Chicha","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e15+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Purple Corn Bred for Dry Ground\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePurple corn has a long history across the Andes, and Montana Morado carries that tradition forward with genuinely deep purple kernels packed with anthocyanin pigments, the same class of antioxidant compounds found in blueberries and other dark-colored foods. Beyond its striking color and nutrition, this variety has proven itself a drought-resistant performer, handling dry growing conditions better than many standard corn varieties. This is organic, open-pollinated seed, suited equally to flour production and traditional chicha brewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Montana Morado Maize?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe dry-climate gardener needing a genuinely drought-resistant corn variety.\u003cbr\u003eThe home miller wanting deep purple kernels for distinctive, nutrient-dense cornmeal.\u003cbr\u003eThe traditional food enthusiast interested in brewing chicha morada or fermented chicha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Drought-Resistant Purple Corn Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eZea mays\u003c\/em\u003e 'Montana Morado' is a purple corn variety rooted in Andean growing traditions, producing ears of deep purple kernels rich in anthocyanin pigments, the same antioxidant compounds responsible for the color in blueberries and purple cabbage. Plants show genuine drought resistance, a trait inherited from generations of selection in dry Andean growing conditions, making it a strong option for gardeners in water-limited climates. The kernels grind into a distinctive purple flour and cornmeal, and are traditionally used to brew chicha morada, a non-alcoholic purple corn beverage, as well as fermented chicha in some regional traditions. As an open-pollinated variety, it breeds true from saved seed. Grown as a warm-season annual, not frost-hardy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Garden \u0026amp; Kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePurple cornmeal and flour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry and grind mature kernels for distinctively colored, nutrient-dense flour.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChicha morada:\u003c\/strong\u003e Boil dried purple kernels with spices and fruit for the traditional Andean beverage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTraditional chicha brewing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use kernels for fermented chicha following traditional preparation methods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought-tolerant grain crop:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow where limited water rules out less resilient corn varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeirloom preservation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow and save seed to help keep an authentic Andean variety in circulation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental and culinary use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Display dried purple ears as fall decor before grinding or brewing with them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Montana Morado Maize Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Direct sow outdoors after last frost, once soil has warmed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in 7 to 10 days in warm soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Germinates best between 60 and 85°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space plants 8 to 12 inches apart in blocks of at least four rows for reliable pollination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a range of soils; tolerates drier conditions better than many corn varieties.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate water; established plants show genuine drought resistance once rooted in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wind-pollinated; block planting rather than single rows improves kernel fill.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Typically ready for grain harvest in 100 to 120 days from seeding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow ears to dry fully on the stalk before harvesting for grinding or brewing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grown as a warm-season annual; killed by frost.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIsolation note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Isolate from other corn varieties to keep seed true if saving for replanting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is purple corn with a genuine dual purpose, deep, anthocyanin-rich kernels that grind into distinctive flour and brew into traditional chicha, grown on a plant bred to handle dry conditions other corn struggles with. Montana Morado Maize carries real Andean agricultural tradition forward, open-pollinated and ready for seed saving. It's a which is genuine grain crop with real drought resilience, not just a novelty color variety.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54487012802878,"sku":"11648","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5941.png?v=1790388525","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/montana-morado-maize-corn-seeds","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}