by Dr Jose Lepe

According to Michael Wood, Tom Volk and others, within the group of fungi called the Basidiomycetes (because spores are formed on structures called basidia) are two groups of fungi of great economic importance: the rusts and smuts. The smuts (Ustilaginales) are distant relatives of the well known Boletus and Agaricus. These fungi are called smuts because they form black dusty spore masses that resemble soot or smut. Over 1,000 species of smut fungi are known. All are parasitic on angiosperms (flowering plants) with over 75 families of angiosperms being infected. The rusts (Uredinales) are an even larger group of plant parasites, with over 4,000 known species. Within the over 5,000 species of rusts and smuts, only the corn smut (Ustilago maydis) or Cuitlacoche is commonly eaten as food.

Cuitlacoche (pronounced Kwee-tlah-KOH-cheh) is the Nahuatl word (the Aztecs tongue) for this fungus, and it comes from Cuitlatl, feces, excrement and cochini, slept. It is said that the name was given because the corn infected husk resembles the bird Cuitlacoche (Thrasher [Toxostoma sp.]) that spends the night in the waste drainages (it does require some imagination). Because corn was domesticated in central Mexico around 5,000 years ago, Cuitlacoche, also known as Huitlacoche has undoubtedly been eaten by humans from before the times the Aztecs arrived to the central meseta in the 1100s AD

Cuitlacoche forms large, swollen, kernel-like globules with soft black flesh covered by a silvery gray skin. There is no real fruiting body. The large black sac you see are the teliospores, the resting spores of the fungus that are produced to help the fungus overcome harsh conditions, such as drought and especially winter. The teliospores drop to the ground or are spread by the wind. In the spring they germinate to form basidia, which produce basidio-spores. These basidiospores are the actual infective agent of the corn. Although many parts of the plant can be infected, most of the time the kernels of corn are the actual point of infection. The fungus grows through the kernel causing its hypertrophy (enlargement) and hyperplasia (division) leading to massive smut galls. These large galls replace the normal kernels of corn, sucking the energy from the development of the other kernels. The fungus can also grow systemically (inside the plant), spreading to other ears of corn on the same plant as well as to many other parts of the plant, including the tassels (interfering with pollination) and the stem (interfering with transport of materials and growth) severely affecting the yield of the crop.

However, smut is not all bad! Cuitlacoche is considered a delicacy in Mexico and is sold canned or fresh in the markets! Those of you who attended our Holiday party were able to enjoy it in one of it most delicious recipes: Cuitlacoche Crepes. We are including the recipe below for those daring to become hooked to it’s special flavor.

12 Crepes

1 can of Cuitlacoche

3 large garlic cloves, crushed

2 slices of fresh onion, minced

1/2 tomato, minced

6 leaves of epazote, chopped

1 cup milk cream (sweet)

1 cup grated cheese

(Monterrey, Swiss, etc.)

Crepes are bought or prepared.

Fry onion with garlic lightly in 1 oz. oil, add Cuitlacoche, epazote, and tomato, simmer covered for 10-15 min. mixing and smearing the Cuitlacoche 2-3 times. Add a bit of salt and pepper to taste.

Fill the crepes with the mixture and place in a buttered Pyrex dish, spread cream on top and then the cheese.

Bake covered with foil at 350 °F for 10 min, uncover, bake 5 more min. Serve with any salad.

¾ cup flour

1 egg

2 egg yolks

1 cup milk

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. veg. oil

Mix all ingredients.

Let sit for 2 hrs. to blend

Prepare crepes like thin pancakes. (Makes 12 crepes)

From the bulletin of the Puget Sound Mycological Society

Question: What tasty edible fungus has damaged harvesting equipment by exploding?

Answer: Corn Smut, Ustilago maydis, or cuitlacoche, sporulating on corn during harvest has formed clouds of spores that have been triggered by sparks and exploded, ruining the harvesting machinery

SDMS Information