How long does black corn take to cook

Black corn usually needs to be cooked for 20-30 minutes to fully ripen, and the specific time is affected by factors such as corn size, heat level, and whether it has been soaked in advance.

Black corn belongs to a variety of coarse grains with a harder texture. Its outer seed coat is thicker and rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, which results in slightly longer cooking time than ordinary yellow corn. If fresh black corn is not soaked in advance, it should be boiled over high heat after being put in cold water and then turned to medium heat for continuous cooking, keeping the corn submerged in water throughout the process. If cooking with a pressure cooker, the time can be shortened to 10-15 minutes, and high pressure can soften the dietary fiber of corn faster. The standard for judging maturity is that the corn kernels are full and swollen, and chopsticks can easily penetrate the corn cob.

Frozen black corn needs to be completely thawed before cooking, otherwise there may still be undercooked inside when the outer layer is fully cooked. If the corn is too hard or stored for a long time, the cooking time can be appropriately extended by 5-8 minutes, but excessive cooking can lead to the loss of nutrients such as anthocyanins. Cooking with leaves can preserve more flavor, but attention should be paid to cleaning the leaf crevices and impurities. Some varieties of black corn kernels are particularly compact, it is recommended to cut them in half and cook them to accelerate heat penetration.

It is recommended to choose fresh black corn of the current season and soak it in water for 30 minutes before cooking to shorten the time. Eating as soon as possible after cooking can achieve the best taste, and the remaining corn can be refrigerated but should not exceed 2 days. When consuming black corn, pairing it with appropriate protein foods such as eggs or soy products can help increase the absorption rate of iron elements. However, for those with weak gastrointestinal function, it is necessary to control the single consumption amount to avoid bloating.