Corn – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What is corn?

One of the most popular cereal grains, corn, is also called maize (Zea mays).

Corn is usually thought of as yellow or white, but it also comes in purple, red, orange, blue, and even black. Throughout history, growers of corn have used different color varieties for different purposes. When refined, corn is used in a wide range of products, including oil, popcorn, tortillas, polenta, syrup, flour, and even whiskey.

Six main types of corn kernels exist. They are flint, flour, waxy, pop, dent, and sweet.

1. Flint corn, also known as calico corn, has a hard shell and is often turned into popcorn.
2. Flour corn is used in corn flour. It can be found mostly in South America.
3. Waxy corn has a significantly higher starch content than other types of corn. It is used to thicken and stabilize other food products and sometimes even used in industrial production as adhesive.
4. Popcorn has a specific composition, including a hard kernel and 14-20 percent moisture content, enabling it to pop when heated.
5. Dent corn comes in various colors and is used mainly as an ingredient in other products, like whiskey, chips, and masa (also known as color flour). It is a type of field corn.
6. Sweet corn is the corn that ultimately makes its way to summer barbeques and canned goods. Also known as sugar corn and pole corn, its sugar content is higher than that of other varieties.

Is corn a vegetable?

Although often found in the fresh produce section, corn is not technically just a vegetable. In the form that’s eaten on the cob, it’s a vegetable. The kernel (where popcorn originates) is a whole grain. Some experts consider popcorn to be a fruit because it comes from the flower or seed part of a plant.

Where did corn originate from?

Domesticated about 9,000 years ago, corn has its origins in Mexico. The Mayan people in Oaxaca bred a plant that lived before corn. It was called teosinte and had fewer than 12 kernels, surrounded by shells. Teosinte ultimately evolved into the corn we know today.

Today, 40 percent of corn is grown in the United States, but it can also be found on farms in Canada, China, and Brazil.

What is the nutritional value of corn?

Although corn has a high water content (as much as 73%) and sweet corn can be relatively high in sugar, corn also contains a wide range of nutrients. You’ll also get a boost of protein, copper, zinc, vitamin B6, potassium, and niacin when you eat corn.

High in carbohydrates, sweet corn actually ranks low to medium on the glycemic index. That’s a measure of how quickly carbs are digested. Foods that rank high tend to spike blood pressure. Relatively low in calories, corn can be a filling way for consumers to enjoy a snack.

How is corn grown?

Corn takes about 5-12 days to germinate once the kernel or seed is planted. It’s planted in shallow soil and will only germinate if the temperature of that soil is more than 55°F. The fastest growth occurs in soil that’s between 69-86°F.

When the seeds sprout, they send down a taproot, and the first leaves (which look like grass blades) begin to sprout. Then, thick stalks and pointed leaves grow. Stalks can shoot to as high as 15ft. Roots are deep (3 to 5ft) and wide (1ft on each side), which are needed to support the thick and tall stalks.

Then, pollination begins. The wind typically carries pollen from one corn plant to another. The giant fields of corn in rows are actually a result of a long and complex natural process.

When is corn in season?

Corn is typically in season from May to September. Most of the corn consumed today comes from the United States. It’s grown throughout the country and can be found at many farmers’ markets and grocery stores year-round.

How do you pick corn at the grocery store?

The color of the husk is an indicator of freshness. Ears that are bright green with golden brown silk surrounding them are the best. The kernels should come all the way to the tip of the ear and should be tightly lined up (without spaces in-between them).

Shop via Instacart when you’re buying corn and looking to have it delivered. Once the corn is added to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to specify preferences or directions on choosing the best corn and fresh produce accompaniments. Shop for corn here.

How to store corn

Eating corn within a day or two of purchase is best for freshness and taste. Over time, the sugar in corn slowly converts to starch, which makes the corn less sweet. Do not remove husks from corn until you’re ready to eat it.

When corn arrives from Instacart, either eat it right away or wrap it loosely in plastic bags and cook and eat it within a couple of days for optimal freshness and taste. If you can’t eat the corn immediately, blanch it and store it in plastic bags in the freezer.

But the fresher the corn is, and the sooner you eat it, the greater the taste and nutritional value.

How to tell if corn is bad

If husks look burned, are shriveled, or are covered with dark-colored slime, avoid those ears. Corn also shouldn’t have a bad smell—if it does, it’s likely spoiled and shouldn’t be eaten.

What can I substitute for corn?

Frozen corn can, of course, be substituted for fresh corn on the cob. It can be used in a wide range of recipes, including salads, soups, and stews. But its nutritional value is less.

Fresh produce is still your best option, and Instacart can deliver same-day substitutes for corn like broccoli and cauliflower. Although they have a different flavor profile, they are also high in nutrients and fiber.

How to find corn near me

Corn is the perfect addition to your next meal. Use Instacart to find the best fresh produce—including corn—near you. Schedule your same-day delivery today!

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Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.