THE STATE’S OFFICIAL FOOD IS THE PERFECT SOUTHERN CUISINE
STORY BY CARRIE HIRSCH
Grits are the official state food of South Carolina. “A man full of [grits] is a man of peace,” the General Assembly declared in 1976. They continue to be a mainstay in Lowcountry home kitchens and restaurants.
Grits are made from either yellow or white ground corn, typically from less sweet, starchy varieties often referred to as “dent corn.” Historically, grits were served as breakfast food, but the reputation of the classic shrimp and grits has shifted it more toward a main course.