The present invention provides a process to remove the bran and the germ from the endosperm of a corn kernel. The process includes use of an apparatus comprising a chamber to induce rubbing between adjacent corn kernels to remove bran and an apparatus for germ removal comprising frictional cylindrical rollers rotating substantially parallel to one another, in opposing directions, and tensioned to impart low-impact friction forces to each corn kernel drawn between the roller surfaces. The process of the present invention includes a tempering step comprising adding an amount of moisture to the bran of the corn kernel by wetting and soaking the corn kernel; a bran removal step for removing substantially all bran from the corn by rubbing corn kernels together; a second tempering step comprising adding an additional amount of moisture to the exposed germ by wetting and soaking the exposed germ; and a degermination step to fracture the endosperm about the germ, substantially freeing the germ from the endosperm.