Sweet Corn Buying and Husking Tips
Here are some tips to help you buy sweet corn from a farm. Sweet corn purchased from a farm can be a great option as it saves money on shipping. This vegetable is vital because it contains husks, which help to prevent worm infestation. Husks should be tightly placed on the ear and the tips should remain moist. If you notice any holes, this could be due to insect or worm holes. To check for worms in corn ears, squeeze them from the bottom to their top.
Sweet corn:
Although sweet corn can be bought on the cob at the grocery stores, it is best to buy it at a local farm market or farmer’s market. Avoid shucking the corn before you buy. Peeling the corn can dry out the kernels and cause damage. Instead, look out for the golden, sticky silks. The corn that has more silk is fresher. Each silk is attached to a single kernel.
Look for plump, full ears when selecting corn. The ear should be large enough that it can fill your hand. The silk at the end of the ear should be golden and sticky. The corn will have more kernels if there is more silk. A golden husk is the best sign of fresh corn, while a brown tassel is a sign of aging corn. Squeeze the ear of corn gently to feel for soft spots and missing kernels. If it is soft and brown, it is likely that the corn has been damaged by insects.
Sweet corn purchased from a local farmer
One of the best ways to save time and effort when purchasing your sweet corn is to buy it pre-husked from a local farm. Husk-free sweet corn has many benefits, including being easier to eat, making it perfect for slicing and cooking. It is also easier to handle than unhusked sweetcorn, which can take a long time. Here are some tips that will help you properly husk your corn.
Locally grown sweet corn is better than imported. Local corn will be sweeter than supermarket corn, which was picked just days ago. Also, make sure to pick up a husked corn for longer storage, because sugars in corn turn to starch the moment they leave the field. If the stem is dry and brown it means that the corn has probably been out of the field for several days.
Buying sweet corn from a store
You should inspect the husks as well as the silks before buying sweet corn. They should be golden, but not too sticky or brown. The fresher the corn, the more silks you can see. The silks should be attached to the individual kernels, so a more husky ear means more corn kernels.
Sweet corn’s sweetness is best preserved by being picked as soon as possible. To keep it fresh, you should refrigerate it once you have it home. If you’re traveling a distance to find it, bring along a cooler full of ice. Keep in mind that supermarket corn is often in transit for many days and may not have been refrigerated. The sugars will turn into starch once cooked. Instead, purchase canned, frozen, or dehydrated sweet corn.