Is maize meal the same as flour?

Maize meal is made from ground maize (corn) kernels. It's often coarser than flour and has a slightly yellow color. It's a staple in many African and Latin American cuisines.

Flour is typically made from ground wheat, although it can be made from other grains like rice, rye, or oats. It's generally finer than maize meal and has a more neutral flavor.

Here's a table summarizing the differences:

| Feature | Maize Meal | Flour |

|---|---|---|

| Grain source | Maize (corn) | Typically wheat, but can be other grains |

| Texture | Coarser | Finer |

| Color | Yellowish | White, off-white, or beige |

| Flavor | Corn-like | More neutral |

| Uses | Porridge, breads, polenta, etc. | Breads, cakes, pastries, etc. |

So, while both maize meal and flour are ground grains, they differ in their source, texture, color, flavor, and culinary uses.