The Real Difference Between Polenta, Grits, and Cornmeal, According to Experts

The Real Difference Between Polenta, Grits, and Cornmeal, According to Experts

A lack of official labeling guidelines and a lot of overlap among the terms can lead to confusion. Here's what you need to know.Serious Eats / Getty ImagesIn a NutshellCornmeal, grits, and polenta are largely unregulated terms that often overlap in meaning.Cornmeal is the broadest term, referring to any dried and ground field corn.Polenta and grits are both types of cornmeal—typically more coarsely ground—and derive much of their meaning from th…