Sweet corn is a type of maize grown for human consumption with high sugar content. It is also known as sugar corn and pole corn. The genes that regulate the conversion of sugar to starch inside the corn kernel’s endosperm have a naturally occurring recessive mutation, which is the cause of sweet corn.
Fresh corn can last up to 10 days in the fridge. This should be enough time for you to enjoy it. However, it is best to use it within two days. This is because corn has the best flavor when used soon after it is picked. To make it last longer, you can blanch it before freezing it. You can also store it in a freezer bag.
How Long can Sweet Corn Last in the Fridge?
The shelf life of sweet corn on the cob is a matter of personal choice. If you have fresh corn at home, you probably do not want to wait until it goes bad, as it will have lost most of its fresh flavor. But if you can’t wait until summer to eat it, then you may be tempted to buy some frozen instead. Frozen corn will keep its flavor and nutrients.
The day you purchase or harvest your corn is the ideal day to use it. However, you can extend the life of the product by keeping it unwashed and unpeeled in a sealed plastic bag in the fridge’s crisper drawer. This will prolong its usefulness by seven to ten days.
What is the Difference Between Corn and Sweet Corn?
Sweet corn, also known as sugar corn and pole corn, is a variety of maize with a higher sugar content than other varieties. In general, sweet corn plants are more slender and shorter than regular corn plants, which grow taller and have stronger leaves.
The term “corn” is typically used to refer to maize, a starchy food sold as cobs of tightly husked kernels. Corn grains are usually yellow, while they can also be found in orange, purple, blue, red, white, and black colors.
Regular corn does not taste as good straight off the cob as sweet corn, which has a beautiful, milky flavor. Sweet corn is sweeter than regular corn.
This allows farmers to harvest regular corn varieties after they have reached full maturity, unlike sweet corn. The kernels of regular corn are larger and yellower in color than those of sweet corn.
How do you Prepare Sweet Corn?
After being cooked, combine the sweetcorn with flour to make it crisp. Then add freshly chopped onions, fresh red and green chilies, fresh coriander leaves, and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Ingredients
Eight delicious ears of corn without the husks and silks
One-half stick of softened butter
For the beef, use two teaspoons of a sweet and sour rub (recipe below)
Instructions
If you like, cut the sweet corn into thirds or halves. Put the ingredients in a large pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. For about five minutes, keep the boil going. Before placing it away, drain it and give it one last rinse in cold water.
Combine the meat rub and the butter.
Prepare the grill. Directly place the corn pieces on the grill. Over the top, apply the butter mixture. Turn the bread over and butter the other side after a few minutes. The time it takes for the corn to cook should be only 5 to 6 minutes.
The delicious corn I used. was frozen. If you wanted to, you could even use fresh corn.
It is better to use frozen because it does not require cooking; simply defrosting it or heating it in the microwave for one minute will do.
To prevent the mixture from becoming lumpy, make sure the corn has been completely drained before adding the flour.
Give the corn a quick toss in the flour to coat it lightly with flour.
To keep the oil from turning very floury, shake off any extra flour.
Fry the corn until it gets extremely crispy in heated oil.
You can substitute chaat masala powder and chili powder for peri seasoning if you don’t have any.
In this recipe, vinegar may be substituted for lemon juice.
For the best flavor, serve right away.
What are the Advantages of Eating Sweet Corn to your Health?
Consuming maize provides a number of health benefits. Nevertheless, the benefits differ slightly depending on whether you’re eating sweet corn or popcorn.
Corn is a whole grain. The term “whole grain” refers to the entire grain. Whole grains are the ones that are the most nutrient-dense. They provide nutrients, vitamins, and fiber. Corn contains much more vitamin A than other cereals. It is also an excellent source of antioxidants.
Also considered to be a starchy vegetable is corn. In comparison to certain other starchy vegetables, it has lower levels of sodium, sugar, and fat.
Lowering the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Including a variety of preventative measures can help delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Polyphenols are beneficial to plant substances found in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Purple maize gets its characteristic color from anthocyanin, a class of polyphenols that has been demonstrated to improve glucose and insulin regulation. If you have diabetes and want to eat purple corn, take its carbohydrate content into account.
Could Reduce the Risk of Colon Cancer
Fiber from corn is beneficial for promoting the growth of “good bacteria” in the stomach. In order to lower the risk of colon cancer, these bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids. Eating whole-grain corn products like popcorn, fresh corn, and fresh corn on the cob will help you get the most fiber from corn.
Promotes Effective Weight Management
The most filling snacks are those high in protein and fiber, like popcorn. 7 One cup of air-popped, unsalted popcorn has 31 calories, 3 grams of protein, and 3 grams of fiber. Popcorn is a whole-grain food that has undergone minimal processing, especially when it is newly prepared. Making wise snack food choices can have a significant impact on body weight because snacks make up to a third of the average person’s daily intake.
Defends Vision
Corn contains the vitamin A components lutein and zeaxanthin, which are particularly good for eye health. Because they concentrate in the retina, these chemicals protect against age-related macular degeneration.
The combination of lutein and zeaxanthin, as well as vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, and zinc (all found in maize), has been shown to protect against this common cause of eyesight loss.
Reference: Sweet corn–a future healthy human nutrition food
What are the Risks of Consuming Sweet Corn?
Corn is a starchy vegetable, similar to potatoes and peas. Which denotes the presence of “carbohydrates and sugar, which may raise your blood sugar.” If you don’t overdo it, it can still be a healthy part of your diet.
Corn also contains antinutrients, which are compounds that stop your body from properly absorbing nutrients. You may get rid of a lot of them by soaking your corn.
Corn is frequently contaminated by mycotoxins, which are toxins emitted by fungi.
If you eat a lot of corn containing these toxins, you face a higher risk of having cancer, liver difficulties, lung problems, and immune system deterioration.
Some persons with celiac disease find that corn makes them feel sick because it causes an immune reaction when you swallow any gluten. Corn may possibly cause symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome to worsen if you have them (IBS).
Some people have expressed concerns about corn that has undergone genetic modification (GM). This sort of corn is occasionally used by farmers in their harvests. Scientists can change the DNA of maize to make it more nutrient-rich, resistant to insects and drought, or both.
What are the Different Methods of Consuming Sweet Corn?
There are many ways to cook and serve maize. Beyond the typical popcorn and corn on the cob, there are endless meals and ways to increase your intake of corn.
You can explore many ways to eat maize by looking at the recipes that are provided here. Perhaps two more common ways to eat corn are steamed and popped.
With just a few additional ingredients, Ina Garten’s Corn Salad may be made from a few simple ears of corn.
Fresh Corn Tomato Salad: Take the flavor of Ina’s recipe from above and add creamy mozzarella cheese and the sweet tang of grape juice to make this wonderful salad.
Farro and Corn Salad: This straightforward salad is robust enough to provide a satisfying lunch for a mom like me and receives a boost of freshness from lemon zest.
Zucchini-Corn Fritters: These are made by combining two of the best summertime veggies with buttermilk, garlic, and onions. It’s magical in a pan.
Slow-Cooker Chicken with corn in shreds What results when two finicky components for the family are combined in a slow cooker? The best dinner of the year simply requires two ears of corn to be shucked and added at the very end.
Taco Soup: This soup contains all the flavors of tacos and may be prepared in advance. Tip: To fast dehydrate food, sever the ends of the husk at one end, then microwave it for two minutes. Holding the uncut end, shake.
Pappardelle with Corn: Have you ever eaten pasta with fresh corn? This mouthwatering recipe combines the richness of butter and Parmesan with the crisp flavors of corn, tomatoes, and basil.
Corn and Enchilada Casserole: This hearty vegetarian lunch is my go-to recipe for new-parent households. The dish freezes and keeps nicely, and the flavors just get better with time.
Conclusion
Blanching sweet corn before freezing will help preserve its yellow color, as well as its texture and flavor. It also kills germs that may have settled on the kernels. Make sure to use clean hands and equipment when blanching corn. Blanched corn keeps its flavor longer in the freezer, and can remain fresh for up to 12 months. Raw corn will lose its flavor after six months.
If you freeze corn without blanching, you’ll find it too chewy when it thaws. Pureed corn, on the other hand, may be fine if it’s intended for a soup or cream-based dish, but it won’t retain the corn’s taste or texture. It will also take up more freezer space.
