The texture of young corn is relatively sweeter, more fragrant, and softer than that of mature corn. Mature corn has a stronger, more intense corn flavor, but its texture is inferior. When many people buy corn, vendors often ask whether they want young or mature corn. If you ask for young corn, you often get home and find it's actually mature corn. Distinguishing between the two is actually very simple.
Young corn: The kernels are uniform, the husks are tender and green, and the cob feels soft when squeezed; this is a sign of fresh young corn. From the same batch, try to select cobs with smaller kernels.
Mature corn: It feels hard to the touch, the husks are yellowish, and some kernels appear shrunken. From the same batch, the larger the kernels, the more mature the corn is.
TIP: A corn cob with a blunt tip is a sign of inadequate nutrition and is not recommended for purchase.
【How to Choose Between Sweet Corn and Waxy Corn】
Since regular corn can also be yellow or white, you cannot distinguish sweet corn from waxy corn based on color alone. If a vendor shows you a yellowish cob and claims it's sweet corn, or a whitish one and claims it's waxy corn, you should be cautious.
True sweet corn has uniformly sized, smooth, flat kernels and is a bright yellow color. Regular yellow corn, on the other hand, has irregularly arranged, bumpy kernels.
True waxy corn has uniformly sized, smooth, flat kernels and is a pure white color. Regular white corn has irregularly arranged, bumpy kernels.
TIP: Additionally, most speckled and purple corn on the market are also waxy corn. For cobs with mixed white and yellow kernels, the taste depends on the predominant color. For example, if there are significantly more yellow kernels, it will taste more like sweet corn.
【Fruit Corn That Can Be Eaten Raw】
Fruit corn is a type of extra-sweet corn that is suitable for eating raw. It's a relatively new arrival in the corn market. It has a thin skin, is juicy, and its sugar content can be as high as 20%, which is twice that of regular corn. It's the top choice for eating raw or for juicing. Whether raw or cooked, it is sweet and crisp, just like fruit, which is why it's called "fruit corn." Eating it raw or juicing it are the preferred methods. However, it is generally more expensive.