When buying corn meal, look for "stone ground" or "water ground" on the package.
Avoid Alber's, and brands like it, which state something like "specially ground"
which usually means the germ has been removed. This is done to enhance shelf
life, but also results in the loss of nutrition and flavor. Same goes for masa
harina. Quaker brand is de-germinated, whereas Buena Comida brand, and the
fresh or frozen kind found in meat departments, is left intact.

Whole grains should be stored in a cool place as the oil in the germ will become
rancid after a while, depending on age and storage conditions. I live in a warm
climate, so everything goes into the refrigerator or freezer for long-term
storage.