How Do I Tell When My Sweet Corn Is Ripe?
Harvesting sweet corn at the correct time ensures that the kernels have developed and matured. Sweet corn should be harvested when it reaches the milk stage, that is when the corn kernels release a milk-like juice once punctured. Monitor sweet corn closely for ripeness after silk appears on the ears--the corn matures within 15 to 20 days on the stalk after that point. Once you harvest sweet corn, store it properly to prevent a loss in sugar content. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Examine the silk on the ears of corn. Silk on mature ears appears brown and dry close to the tip.
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Peel back the husks carefully to expose the top kernels. Ensure that the kernels have filled out at the tip of the ear; immature corn ears do not have full, juicy kernels that reach to the tip.
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Puncture a large, plump kernel with the tip of your fingernail. Examine the juice that runs out of the kernel. The juice should appear milky white, not clear.
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Grab the corn ear at the base when it is ripe. Twist the ear downward from the base to remove it from the stalk. Harvest sweet corn in the morning.
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Store sweet corn in the refrigerator immediately after picking. The quality of the corn deteriorates rapidly once you harvest it. For best taste, store the corn at 32 degrees Fahrenheit for no longer than 4 to 8 days before consuming it.
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Tips & Warnings
Always plant sweet corn away from other types of corn; they can cross-pollinate, which affects the quality of the corn.
Protect corn ears that are almost ready for harvest from bugs and birds by covering them with paper bags.
Avoid letting the corn sit at room temperature for longer than 12 hours after picking--it begins to lose its flavor.
References
- Iowa State University; Harvesting Sweet Corn; Richard Jauron; July 1997
- Texas A&M University: Corn
- Purdue University; Growing Sweet Corn; B. Rosie Lerner et al.; May 2001
- University of Missouri Extension; Growing Sweet Corn in Missouri; Lewis W. Jett ; September 2006
- Virginia Tech University: Sweet Corn; Diane Relf et al.; May 2009
- Fort Valley State University: Growing Sweet Corn
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
