When to Pick and Store Corn for the Best Flavor
Introduction
Corn is a delicious and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or canned. But to get the best flavor, it’s important to harvest corn at the right time and store it properly.
When to Pick Corn
The best time to pick corn is when the kernels are plump and milky. To test the ripeness of corn, puncture a kernel with your fingernail. If a milky liquid comes out, the corn is ready to harvest. If the liquid is clear, the corn is not ripe yet. If there is no liquid, the corn is overripe.
Another way to tell if corn is ripe is to look at the silk. When the silk is brown and dry, the corn is ready to harvest.
How to Pick Corn
To pick corn, grasp the ear firmly and pull it down. Twist and pull until the ear comes off the stalk. Be careful not to damage the stalk or the other ears of corn on the plant.
How to Store Corn
Corn loses its flavor quickly after it is picked. To keep corn fresh for as long as possible, store it in the refrigerator. Corn can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
If you need to store corn for longer than a week, you can freeze it. To freeze corn, remove the kernels from the cob and spread them out on a baking sheet. Freeze the kernels for 2 hours, or until they are solid. Then, transfer the frozen kernels to a freezer-safe bag. Frozen corn can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to Harvest Sweet Corn in the Morning
The best time to harvest sweet corn is in the morning, when the sugars in the kernels are at their peak. To harvest sweet corn in the morning, follow these steps:
- Go to your corn patch early in the morning, before the sun gets too hot.
- Find an ear of corn that is plump and milky.
- Grasp the ear firmly and pull it down.
- Twist and pull until the ear comes off the stalk.
- Place the ear of corn in a bucket or basket.
- Repeat steps 2-5 until you have harvested all of the ripe ears of corn.
The Signs of Ripe Corn
There are several signs that indicate that corn is ripe and ready to harvest. These signs include:
- The kernels are plump and milky.
- The silk is brown and dry.
- The husks are green and tight.
- The ears of corn are heavy.
What to Do with Corn After Harvesting
After you have harvested your corn, you can enjoy it fresh, freeze it, or can it. To enjoy corn fresh, simply boil it in water for 10-15 minutes, or until the kernels are tender. You can also grill corn or roast it in the oven.
To freeze corn, remove the kernels from the cob and spread them out on a baking sheet. Freeze the kernels for 2 hours, or until they are solid. Then, transfer the frozen kernels to a freezer-safe bag. Frozen corn can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To can corn, follow these steps:
- Remove the kernels from the cob.
- Wash the kernels thoroughly.
- Pack the kernels into jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Add 1 teaspoon of salt to each jar.
- Fill the jars with boiling water, leaving 1 inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
- Seal the jars and process them in a boiling water bath for 90 minutes.
How to Keep Corn Fresh for Longer
Corn loses its flavor quickly after it is picked. To keep corn fresh for as long as possible, store it in the refrigerator. Corn can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You can also keep corn fresh for longer by blanching it. To blanch corn, follow these steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Add the corn to the boiling water and cook for 3 minutes.
- Remove the corn from the boiling water and plunge it into a bowl of ice water.
- Let the corn cool in the ice water for 5 minutes.
- Remove the corn from the ice water and pat it dry.
- Store the corn in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
The Best Way to Freeze Corn on the Cob
To freeze corn on the cob, follow these steps:
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Wash the corn thoroughly.
- Cut the corn into 1-inch pieces.
- Place the corn pieces in a freezer-safe bag.
- Seal the bag and freeze the corn for up to 6 months.
