The Perfect Green Mealies! A Guide to Fresh Maize in the UK

If you grew up eating maize in Southern Africa, there’s a good chance you’ll already know exactly what green mealies are.

For anyone less familiar with the term, green mealies are simply fresh maize cobs harvested while they are still young and tender enough to boil, roast and enjoy straight from the cob.

They’re a simple food, but for many people they’re also a taste of home.

At Mwanaka Fresh Farm Foods, we grow fresh white maize here in the UK, making it easier to enjoy familiar African produce without it having to travel quite so far.

Why Are They Called Green Mealies?

The word mealie is commonly used across Southern Africa to describe maize.

When people talk about green mealies, they’re normally referring to maize that has been picked fresh rather than left to fully dry on the plant.

Despite the name, the kernels themselves are usually white or pale in colour. “Green” refers more to the fact that the maize is fresh and still at the stage where it can be cooked and eaten from the cob.

How Do You Cook Green Mealies?

One of the best things about fresh mealies is how easy they are to prepare.

Boiling is probably the most familiar method. Simply place the maize cobs into water and cook them until they reach the texture you prefer.

You can also roast green mealies over a barbecue, grill or open flame. This gives them a slightly smoky flavour and is a popular way to enjoy fresh maize across many African countries.

There’s no single right way to eat them. Some people enjoy mealies exactly as they are, while others add seasoning or serve them alongside other dishes.

Can You Buy Green Mealies in the UK?

Finding green mealies in the UK hasn’t always been easy, especially if you’re looking for the firmer white maize commonly eaten across Africa rather than British sweetcorn.

That’s one of the reasons we grow our own.

Mwanaka has decades of farming experience, and our white maize is grown here in Britain as part of our wider range of African produce.

Looking for Fresh Mealies?

Whether you call them green mealies, fresh mealies, white maize or fresh maize, they’re a familiar favourite that doesn’t need much fuss.

At Mwanaka, we’re proud to grow fresh maize in the UK and make the foods our customers know and love easier to find.

Explore our range online or visit Mwanaka to find fresh African produce grown closer to home.