Our Story: A Legacy of Flavor, Passed Down with Purpose
At American Heritage of the Southwest, we bring ancestral foods to the modern table—celebrating New Mexico’s deep-rooted traditions while creating something fresh for today’s kitchens.
Founded by Felix Mauro Torres, the mill is more than a business—it’s a living tribute to the culture, flavors, and lessons he grew up with in Albuquerque’s North Valley. “I grew up farming with my dad and cooking with my mom at a very young age,” Felix says. “A lot of the products I make now, I was making with my mom in the kitchen—now it’s just on a grander scale.”
From those humble beginnings using a hand-cranked Corona Corn Mill at his mother’s table, Felix has built a full-scale roasting and milling operation—processing organic, non-GMO corn grown only in New Mexico. Red, white, blue, yellow, and now green corn are carefully roasted, milled, and turned into more than 200 artisan products, like blue corn waffles with piñon, red corn atole, and green chile bizcochitos.
Yet even with growth and innovation, the mission remains rooted in purpose. “In order to preserve a traditional ingredient, you have to innovate and create a market for it—so that it’s there for the next generation,” Felix explains.
Today, American Heritage of the Southwest is Albuquerque’s only custom corn roaster and miller, serving both retail and wholesale clients. And while many of our products are white-labeled and sold under other brands, the care and craftsmanship remain unmistakably ours.
“I’m doing what I like instead of getting caught up chasing the dollar,” Felix says. “If I’m chasing the dollar, then it would feel like a competition. Instead, me and my closest competitor are friends—and we’ll probably be friends for life.”
From ancient foodways to future-forward flavor, American Heritage of the Southwest is committed to honoring a culinary legacy—preserving tradition, sharing stories, and feeding generations to come.