Product Review on Our Latest Discovery
Our travels often present pleasant surprises, like our latest discovery. What did we find? That the Yates Mill Associates (YMA) sell cornmeal that’s ground the old-fashioned way—in the actual historic mill using stones!
We were so excited to try the cornmeal that we bought a couple bags, and then decided to share our experience using it. So, here’s a quick review.
But first, you may be wondering, “Just who are the Yates Mill Associates and how did you find out about their cornmeal?”
We purchased both white and yellow cornmeal.
Location:
Historic Yates Mill Park
4620 Lake Wheeler Road
Raleigh, NC 27603
Visitor's Center:
(919) 856-6675
Hours:
Park - 8am-sunset, daily
Mill Tours - Sa-Su, Mar-Nov
Corn Grinding - 3rd Sa-Su, Mar-Nov
Fees:
Park - No fee
Mill Tour - $3-5
Cornmeal - $5 per 2-lb bag
Website:
Yates Mill Associates
How Did We Find Out About the Cornmeal?
During our last trip to North Carolina, we had a delightful visit to the Historic Yates Mill Park. It is about 5-minutes south of downtown Raleigh and was definitely worth the detour—and worth writing about. (Learn more about that Mill visit HERE.)
While researching for the Historic Yates Mill post, I found out about the cornmeal. I had never tried meal from an actual old mill. Sounded intriguing and of course, I had to have some!
Entrance to Historic Yates Mill where you can watch the corn grinding process. It wasn't open when we were there.
Research on Our Latest Discovery Paid Off
However, that said, we didn’t actually get our cornmeal during our trip. After we got home, I made a few inquiries about where to get it.
One thing led to another and because I was planning this product review, a kind member of the YMA came to the rescue. (She’s actually the miller’s wife!) Jeanne sent me two bags of cornmeal, one yellow and one white.
Old mill stones are used as steps into Yates Mill.
And, as a bonus, she included a cookbook in the box. Boy, was I thrilled! Now I could not only try their product, I could use their recipes too.
The YMA 100-page cookbook is filled with yummy recipes.
Our Fun Day Baking, Photographing....and Tasting
There are 75 recipes in the cookbook. Narrowing down the selection was hard because everything sounded good., Nevertheless, we enjoyed the entire process (especially eating).
The book’s sections include breakfast, cornbreads and muffins, main and side dishes plus desserts. I decided on these three—a cornbread, a side dish, and a dessert.
The cloth bag took a little work to pour from but then I am used to plastic, metal, cardboard, and paper containers that don't wiggle. It did make me think of how my ancestors stored their meal.
From a design standpoint, the cloth bag is awesome. It is definitely a keeper when emptied!
Baking....
I had never used unbolted meal, meaning it has not been sifted, when baking so this was a new experience. At first glance, the meal looks a little coarse but what was left in the sifter showed exactly why sifting was important.
I learned the hard way to add only a little meal to my hand sifter at one time. The handle was hard to turn when filled, but much easier with smaller amounts.
Snapped a quick pic of what was left in the sifter.
Photographing....
Cornbread using yellow meal was the best we have ever tasted. The recipe called for buttermilk, which I think added richness to the flavor.
Aunt Cora's
Iron Skillet Cornbread
Puffs using yellow meal had onion flakes and parsley. I may have used too much batter when spooning onto the baking sheet as some puffed well, some didn't. Perfect side dish and super tasty!
Tangy
Cornmeal
Puffs
Cookies using white meal were light and sweet. We were totally surprised at how good these were with cornmeal in the recipe.
Yates Mill Cornmeal
Pecan
Sandies
Tasting....
I baked. Tom photographed. We both tasted—and shared with friends too! What did our friends have to say?
From SC: "The pecan cookie was so light and tempting. You still can't convince me that there was less sugar than other recipes. These do not make me feel heavy. Though, I do feel satisfied. I will never be able to eat another kind of cornbread after this. Even [my husband] ate his piece (which I hoped he wouldn't). He usually refuses cornbread."
From RP: "Pecans and cornmeal in this recipe make these cookies delightfully tasty."
Who Would Love This Product?
If you like to bake and love all-things-cornbread, then this product is for you. For those who love to give unique gifts found during your travels, this is for you. Any history buff that wants to experience a little of the good old days, this is for you.
Where Can You Get the Meal?
The only limitation on getting the cornmeal is you have to purchase it in North Carolina. It’s sold in 2-lb. canvas bags in stores near the Mill. Unfortunately, no shipping available so I guess you’ll need a trip to the coastal south to pick it up.
This cornbread was a little slice of heaven.
Not Your Average Cornmeal
Cornmeal stone ground the old-fashioned way is not your average cornmeal. It’s a cut above anything we have used before. Tom and I both agree the quality of stone ground meal made everything we baked taste amazing. I have never seen him so excited after eating cornbread.
Our latest discovery just makes us smile. Not only did we enjoy a sweet visit to the Yates Mill Park, we also got to enjoy the fruit of the labors of those who are keeping history alive.
Kudos to the Yates Mill Associates!
REVIEW | Cornmeal from Historic Yates Mill
Meal ground from local corn in a renovated and refurbished 1756 gristmill located 5-miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina in the Historic Yates Mill Park.
Quality
Taste
Easy to Use
Packaging
Price
We Like:
We Don't Like:
Basics:
Packaged in a cloth bag
Tied with a string and tagged "sift before using"
Available in both white and yellow
Priced at $5 per bag
Bag weighs 2 lbs.
Purchase at NCSU Howling Cow Creamery
Summary:
Cornmeal stone ground the old-fashioned way is not your average cornmeal. It’s a cut above anything you will ever use in baking. We highly recommend this product.
The wheel that powers the gristmill.
Historic Yates Mill Today
Visitors today may see inside the Mill, watch the corn grinding process, or see how the milling machinery works while learning about the Mill’s history.
Tours are by appointment and only on specific days. Be sure to check the YMA site (HERE) if you plan to visit and want an in-depth tour. The small fee charged pays for continued maintenance and repairs needed for the restored property.
Costumed Yates Mill Associates regularly grind cornmeal, which is for sale in 2-lb. cloth bags at NCSU Howling Cow Creamery just up the road.
**Thank you to Jeanne Robbins for your willingness to send the cornmeal. Also, thank you for your kindness in providing the cookbook!
