Huitlacoche, a fungus that grows on corn, has been an important part of Mexican cuisine and traditional medicine for centuries. While considered a crop pest in most countries, in Mexico it is valued as a nutritious delicacy with significant health benefits and commercial potential. The research shows it is rich in proteins, fiber, vitamins, and compounds that can fight inflammation and act as antioxidants. Impacts on everyday life: – Provides a nutritious food source that can help address food security challenges – Offers economic opportunities for farmers through cultivation and sale of a high-value crop – Contains natural compounds that could be used to develop new medicines and health products – Demonstrates how traditional food knowledge can contribute to modern nutrition and medicine – Shows potential for sustainable agriculture by turning what is typically considered a pest into a valuable resource