How to Store Fresh Ears of Corn

Fresh corn loses quality quickly.

Fresh, sweet corn quickly loses its flavor after harvest. The sugar in the kernels that gives the corn its tenderness and flavor converts to starch the longer the corn is stored. Proper storage helps prolong the flavor for a few days by inhibiting the starch-conversion process. If you must store the corn, select firm ears with healthy green husks to ensure the best quality. The better the quality, the easier it is to maintain flavor and texture.

Things You'll Need

• Perforated plastic bags

Instructions

1. Place the corn in a perforated plastic bag. Leave the husk on the corn until you are ready to cook it.

2. Store the bagged corn in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Avoid overcrowding the crisper because air must circulate around the bagged corn for the best results.

3. Use the corn within two days of purchase. Most corn varieties lose their flavor after two days.

Tips & Warnings

• Cooked corn stores up to five days before it loses its flavor and texture quality.

• Shucked corn stores in the freezer for up to two to three months without a significant loss in quality.

References

• University of Maine; Sweet Corn; Nadine B. Reimer; 2008
• West Virginia Univesity; Corn; Brenda Porter; May 2010