Pacific Blue Maíze and Oaxcan Green Maíze - Perla Ruíz, Jake Prendez, and Alena Prendez
Perla Ruíz, Jake Prendez, and Alena Prendez connect heritage maize, traditional foodways, art, and collective care.
- Blue corn
- Oral history
Curiosity and celebration of diversity allows us to notice and respond to change as a collective, interconnected, community
Perla Ruíz started Milpa Masa Company in 2021, to bring her traditional nixtamalized tortillas to Washington. Perla sources heritage maize from local growers in Washington, Native American growers across the United States, value-aligned producers in Illinois, and sometimes small producers in Mexico.
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Perla speaks about how processing maize the traditional way allows her to notice how climate change is impacting cuisine. She also explains how important accessing diverse corn has been to her customers.
In 2026 Milpa Masa had to close business due to high tariffs and economic barriers to equipment access. When the community Perla had built found out, they came together to raise the funds needed for Milpa Masa to reopen.
Designed by father and daughter, Jake and Alena Prendez, a Chicana woman envelops herself in an heirloom variety of corn, surrounded by the different life cycles of Maíze. The Maíze seeds, gifts from Perla Ruíz, are drilled and beaded onto the square. The recycled fabric is embroidered with the shoots and flowers of the Maíze plant.
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Perla discusses the community and heritage connection she hopes to inspire through Milpa Masa.
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