How to determine if it is sweet corn

Sweet corn can be judged by observing its appearance, tasting its taste, and examining the arrangement of its seeds. The identification methods for sweet corn mainly include particle color, sugar content testing, variety characteristics, growth cycle, market labels, etc.

1. Grain color

The endosperm of sweet corn appears light yellow or milky white, with plump and glossy grains that are lighter and more uniform in color compared to regular corn. After maturity, the particles are tightly arranged but the texture is soft, and it is easy to break when lightly pressed with nails. Some double colored sweet corn varieties exhibit a yellow white particle distribution, which is a visual manifestation of their hybrid characteristics.

2. Sugar content test

The sugar content of sweet corn is significantly higher than that of ordinary corn, and can reach 14-18 degrees within 2 hours after picking using a sugar meter. When tasted directly, one can feel a distinct sweetness and strong juiciness, with the sweetness being more prominent when eaten raw. Ordinary corn has a high content of starch, and after chewing, it has a powdery texture with a light sweetness.

3. Variety Characteristics

Common sweet corn varieties such as super sweet corn and fortified sweet corn will have obvious variety markings at the base of the cob. The spike shape is usually slender, with multiple layers of bracts and tightly wrapped leaves, and the spike tip granules are fully developed without missing grains. Some varieties may emit a faint milky aroma during specific growth stages.

4. Growth cycle

Sweet corn takes 60-85 days from sowing to harvesting, which is 10-20 days shorter than ordinary corn. The optimal harvesting period is 18-22 days after silk emergence, when the bracts have just turned yellow green. Expired harvesting can lead to rapid conversion of sugar into starch, resulting in a significant decrease in sweetness.

5. Market Label

Sweet corn sold through legitimate channels will be labeled with variety type and sugar content value, and commonly labeled with "Sweet Corn" or "SweetCorn" on the packaging. Farmers' markets can confirm with growers whether to apply sweet corn specific fertilizer, which can promote sugar accumulation.

When purchasing, it is recommended to choose sweet corn with intact bracts and fresh stalks, and store it refrigerated for no more than 3 days to maintain the best taste. Shorten the cooking time to 5-8 minutes during cooking, as excessive heating can cause sugar loss. Sweet corn can be used as a high-quality source of carbohydrates in daily life, paired with eggs or lean meat to ensure a balanced protein intake. Special groups such as diabetes patients need to control the single consumption of less than half a corn.