Where can I buy cornmeal in the UK?

I am desperate for some cornmeal! When DH's family came to the US for our wedding, we took a road trip from VA to SC and stopped at Cracker Barrel. They LOVED it, especially the corn bread muffins. I bought all the ingredients to make them with my MIL today and we couldn't find cornmeal! We looked in Sainsbury's and Asda and neither carry it in this area (Lancs). DH and I live in Leeds, so I'll check the stores there.

I'm especially surprised because I didn't even seen Polenta, except for a specialty variety made with porcini mushrooms. On top of that, DH's uncle works in a corn factory and he has never heard of it. Has anyone had any luck finding cornmeal?   

Just look for "polenta" - it's the same stuff.

I'm curious too as to whether or not anyone has found cornmeal here because I've been having my Mom send it from the U.S.

Hi jennB -- It's been awhile since I bought any or even been to the store, but I used to find polenta in the Moor Allerton Sainsburys.  It was in the aisle with health foods & gluten free stuff -- used to face the tinned beans & tomatoes, but I think they have since remodeled & may have moved stuff around.

It's a finer grind stuff than regular cornmeal like you'd buy in the States.  The cornbread I made with it wasn't quite right -- so definitely needed a bit more experimentation, but I've not got back to it yet.

And I had to laugh at paying, I think it was £2+ for a small bag of 'Gourmet Polenta' (i.e., polenta), when you can buy a 5 pound bag of plain cornmeal in the US for next to nothing last time I checked.

Most health food shops seem to have it, and some have a choice of coarse ground or fine ground.

I've also bought it at shops that have a range of international foods, be it a deli or small market type shop.

Bigger Tesco's also have it in the International food section or health foods.

Both our local (Plymouth)  international shops carry coarse and fine in large bags.

I've seen maize meal at my nearest Tescos, but not sure if it's the same thing. Although, I think maize may be another name for corn. Hope that helps!

I've seen maize meal at my nearest Tescos, but not sure if it's the same thing. Although, I think maize may be another name for corn. Hope that helps!

I'm pretty sure maize meal is just another name for cornmeal. I haven't seen it here by that name, though! Very cool that your Tesco has it! 

Oh yes I've seen that in Tesco too, in the Indian food section, they have HUGE bags of it.

Oh yes I've seen that in Tesco too, in the Indian food section, they have HUGE bags of it.

That's where I got mine (maize meal).  We also have a South African shop in our city and they carry cornmeal in large bags.

Oh yes I've seen that in Tesco too, in the Indian food section, they have HUGE bags of it.

I never thought to look in that section! I'll definitely look next time I'm there. I've always just checked where the rice, beans, etc. are - that's where I've found polenta.

Not sure if you have Holland and Barrett there but here in Northern Ireland, I know that shop carries it.

Thanks for all the help! I worked for a specialty food store in the US, so I am aware that cornmeal is the same thing as polenta and maize meal. The consistency of the corn bread won't be right unless I use the fine ground, so that's really what I need. I was quite shocked that they didn't have polenta in the international aisle or maize meal with the Indian foods at the major supermarkets here.

I'll try Tesco and Holland & Barrett! Thanks again - I really appreciate it!   

Check an asian grocer, if there's one near you. That's where I get mine, I have a mean cornbread recipe, it's a lot like jiffy, but homemade. Where we shop, there's a choice of fine, medium, or coarse cornmeal.