Each year, folks in the U.S. **munch on over 10 billion pounds** (4.5 billion kg) of fresh corn.
That’s enough for each American to have an average of 1.57 cobs.
But what exactly do we put on our plates?
How much corn is actually on a cob?
How many kernels are on a typical ear of corn?
A normal ear of corn has around 100 kernels, but if you buy one at the grocery store, it might only have 60 or so.
The reason corn has such small kernels is because when they grow naturally, they grow attached to the plant.
When they mature, the ear falls from the stalk and the kernels ripen at the same time.
If the plants were allowed to grow up, the corn would be too tall to eat.
How many ears of corn are in a bushel?
At the end of the harvest season, farmers count how many ears of corn they have harvested by weight.
Then, they calculate how many bushels that makes.
There are 12 ounces (0.35 kilogram) per bushel.
So, a bushel weighs 144 ounces (4.3 kilograms).
How many bushels of corn are harvested in the US each year?
According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service, America produces about $10 billion worth of corn each year, which translates into around 4.8 billion dozen ears.
To put this number in perspective, that’s enough to fill all those empty cans in your recycling bin.
How many calories are in a ear of corn?
Corn provides 7% of our daily calories, with about 45 calories per cup.
This means that if you ate just one cup of corn, you’d get roughly half of the recommended calorie intake for a day.
What is the difference between sweet corn and field corn?
Sweet corn is harvested while still attached to the plant.
It has been bred over the years to produce more sugar content, which explains why that corn tastes sweeter.
Field corn is harvested after the plant has fallen off its stalk.
It is usually picked before it goes bad, so it doesn’t taste as sweet.
If you prefer the sweetness of sweet corn, then you may want to purchase that instead of the field corn.
Or, you can always try eating both kinds of corn together.
How many different types of corn are there?
As we mentioned above, corn is used in many ways, including making animal feed, flour, starch, and more.
Corn also comes in many varieties, including regular yellow, white, popcorn, and flint corn.
Some people even make their own corn meal at home.
You will find a variety of recipes on Pinterest where you can learn how to roast corn on the cob, or how to make homemade corn tortillas.
How is corn used?
Here are some examples of how corn is often used:
Pork
Pork producers love corn because it helps them turn out leaner meat.
Beef
Beef cattle love corn, and they use it to fatten up their stock quickly.
Chicken
Chicken farmers like to use corn because it helps them raise chickens faster.
Fish
Fish farms use corn as a protein source because it is cheap and easy to raise.
Cereal
Cereals like corn flakes, oatmeal, and grits are popular breakfast foods.
Beverages
Beer drinkers enjoy drinking corn beer because it has a low alcohol content.
Snacks
Snack mixes, chips, crackers, and other snack foods contain cornmeal, cornstarch, or corn syrup.
Dairy products
Dairy cows love the sweet, corn-based milk produced by dairy herds.
Meat
Corn is used in the livestock industry to help keep animals healthy and strong.
Vegetables
Corn is grown commercially to supply vegetable farmers worldwide.
Fruit
Fruit growers like corn because it grows well in warmer climates.
Food additives
Food manufacturers add corn to processed foods to improve texture and flavor.
Other uses
People have used corn to build houses, as fuel, and more.
What country is the largest producer of corn?
US farmers produce 40% of all the world’s corn, followed by Brazil (30%), Argentina (12%), Canada (9%), Ukraine (7%), India (6%), and China (6%).
What is the history of corn?
Humans have cultivated corn since prehistoric times.
They first domesticated it around 8,000 B.C., although it was not widely eaten until around 5,500 B.C.
Today, corn is the second most important crop in the world behind rice.
How is corn prepared?
Corn can be prepared in numerous ways, depending on what you’re looking to cook.
Here are some of the best ways to cook corn on the cob:
Boiled
Boiling corn is ideal for younger children.
Simply put the whole ear of corn on a plate and place it in a pot filled with water.
Roasted
Roasting corn is another great way to prepare it.
Put the whole ear of corn directly onto a hot grill pan.
Baked
Baking corn is a fun activity for the entire family.
Just take the whole ear of corn and cut it in half lengthwise.
Remove the silk threads.
Sautéed
Sautéed corn is delicious!
Cut the kernels off the cob using scissors.
Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat.
Add butter and let melt.
Add the kernels to the skillet and sauté for 3 minutes on each side.
Grilled Grilling corn is a classic summertime dish.
Take the whole ear of corn off the cob and brush it with oil.
Grill it over high heat on a barbecue.
Poached
Poaching corn is a simple process.
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.
Carefully add the whole ear of corn to the boiling water.
Reduce the heat to simmer and cook until tender.
Remove the cooked ear of corn from the liquid and set aside.
For more information about cooking corn on the cob, check out these related articles:
5 Ways to Cook Corn on the Cob
How to Make Homemade Corn Starch
How to Make Your Own Sour Patch Kids
Want to learn more about corn?
Check out these links:
Why Do We Eat Corn?
How Does Corn Get Its Color?
How Long Does Corn Keep Fresh?
Cornbread With Creamed Corn Recipe
Where Did Corn Come From?
How Does Corn Grow?
How Many Cows Are Grazing Around Town?
What’s In a Corn Chip?
And, if you’d like to read a bit more about corn, here are some interesting facts about the plant:
The Most Expensive Corn Ever Sold Was Sold For $1.6 Million USD
The World’s Largest Corn Maze Is Located in Iowa
World’s Fastest Corn Harvester Can Produce 2.5 Bushels Per Hour
Corn is the Number One Vegetable Source of Iron
Corn is the Best Source of Folate
Corn is the Highest Fiber Source
Cornbread With Creamed Corn Recipe
Equipment
- 1 oven
- 1 bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup cornbread
- 1 cup of flour
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of milk
- ¼ cup of melted butter
Instructions
- Now that you have all the ingredients, you are ready to start baking! Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly mixed. Finally, stir in the melted butter.
- Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch baking pan and bake for 25 minutes until the cornbread is golden brown and firm to the touch. Allow the cornbread to cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
I have a true passion for cooking and experimenting with new ingredients, and I have been creating and perfecting recipes for friends and family for years.
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