Zea mays

Unlike field corn that is picked when dry and mature and used as a grain, sweet corn is picked in the immature or “milk” stage and used as a vegetable.

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Seasonality

J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
				•	•	•	•	•	•	•

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Description

Sweet corn is a member of the grass family that produces ears of yellow to white corn kernels covered in light green husks. Sweet corn gets its signature sweetness from a naturally occurring recessive mutation that takes place in the genes that convert sugar to starch in the corn kernels.

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Storage tips

Heirloom sweet corn is best enjoyed within 24 hours of picking as its sugars convert back to starch. Hybrid varieties will continue to become sweeter in cold storage and should store 5-7 days.

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Culinary tips

• The kernels are the only edible part of the ear. Remove and discard the husks and silk before using. Kernels can be left on the cob and eaten off or they can be cut off before cooking.
• Sweet corn is edible in its raw form and should only be boiled briefly to warm.
• The cobs can be boiled, steamed, baked, or grilled. Corn kernels that have been removed from the cob can be boiled, steamed, baked, sauteed, or roasted.
• Try making a salad of sweet corn kernels, avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, and lime.