The Only Way You Should Store Corn, According to a Corn Farmer
How to pick the freshest corn and the best way to store it so that it stays sweet.
If there’s anything the Midwest is known for, it’s corn. And while there certainly is a whole slew of veggies that are at their peak during the summer, corn on the cob is king at every barbecue from July to August.
I spoke to Kelly Wenning at Tuttle Orchards in Indiana to learn how to store sweet summer corn to make the most of the season.
Start At The Source
While purchasing fresh vegetables is a high priority, it’s essential when purchasing corn. Werner explains that the sugars in fresh corn start converting to starch as soon as it is picked. Therefore, the best corn will be the freshest stuff you can get your hands on.
It’s difficult to know how long ago the ears piled up at the grocery store have been off the stalk. “It may only last a couple of days before losing its flavor,” says Wenning.
For the ultimate summer corn experience, visit your local farmers market or farm stand, or look for a u-pick or farms that welcome visitors. You’re almost guaranteed fresher corn than what’s on offer at your local big box store. Wenning says Tuttle Orchards' triple sweet, farm-fresh corn lasts up to a week. That’s a big difference compared to alternatives that have to travel through a longer supply chain before it gets to your local grocery store.
If the grocery store is your only accessible option, your best bet is to purchase corn on the cob the day or the day before you plan to eat it. Store it properly to preserve as much flavor as possible.
The Best Way To Store Fresh Corn
Once you’ve sourced your corn, get it in the refrigerator as soon as you can. Leave it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to shuck it.
Keeping it cold helps to slow down the conversion of sugars to starch. You don’t have to do much to prep it first—just stack it up in the fridge. The husk protects it from dents and dings and from drying out.
You don't need to bag it up. In fact, plastic produce bags may hold extra moisture, speeding up degradation. If you’d like to keep it a little more contained instead of rolling around the fridge, opt for a paper or breathable fabric bag.
How To Freeze Corn
Tuttle Farms sells bushels of corn specifically for their customers to freeze to enjoy all year long. Werner recommends freezing it off of the cob. It’s a bit of a process to get it prepped for the freezer, but the payoff will be huge come a cold and gray January day. It will be a literal stash of gold in your freezer.
Husk ears and remove silks. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Then, submerge several ears at a time. Blanch the ears for approximately four minutes.
Remove the corn from the water and submerge it in an ice bath to stop the cooking. Cut the kernels off the cob and package them in a freezer-safe quart bag. Remove excess air and store them in the freezer.
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