I get this buzzing exciting feeling in my nerves whenever I have corn in my mouth or I get to behold its sight in a meal, welps! can’t help but give in to the joy it brings to me.
However, there have been lots of questions, and debates about the most commonly consumed species of corn, that is sweet corn and regular corn (or field corn).
Corn is botanically referred to as maize (Zea mays), corn is one of the world’s most popular cultivated and consumed cereal grains.
Corn is a seed plant in the grass family, and a native to Central America but grown in countless species worldwide.
Varieties include popcorn, field/regular corn, and sweet corn, however, refined corn products are also widely consumed, and frequently used as ingredients in processed food.
Corn is typically yellow but might come in a variety of other colors, such as red, orange, purple, blue, white, and black.
In this article, we share insight into the difference between sweet corn and field corn, read along!
What is Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is a species of maize (Zea mays) that possess a more sugar content than other corn species. It is also called sugar corn or pole corn.
The plant of sweet corn is usually shorter and skinny than regular corn plants, which are known to be taller and have more leaves.
During harvest, farmers usually harvest sweet corn while they are still immature, when the silks at the top of the sweet corn ear are still brown, and the leaves wrapped around the ear are still green.
When sweet corn is harvested, it is still in the early stage of maturity, they are usually prepared and taken in as a vegetable rather than a grain.
When sweet corn fully matures, the sugar content turns into starch. Therefore, making it impossible to store sweet corn for a longer duration.
You will have to consume them fresh, keep them frozen, or store them in cans before grains turn starchy and tough.
Furthermore, sweet corn has some amazing nutritional health benefits for your gastrointestinal health. Additionally, sweet corn also comes with nutrients that help to lower the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and diabetes.
What is Regular Corn
Regular or field corn is most commonly known as maize. It is a starchy food that comes as seeds on a cob tightly packed in a husk. Corn grains are mostly yellow, but they might also come in colors like orange, purple, blue, red, white, and black shades.
Field corn has less sugar content as sweet than sweet corn which is sweet and milky. However regular corn does not taste that nice right off the cob until it is cooked.
This is due to to the fact that, unlike sweet corn, the farmers harvest regular/field corn species when they are fully matured.
Furthermore, regular corn is usually processed into everyday ingredients such as cornflour and cornflakes as corn is a source of food rich in vitamin nutrients.
Corn is a great source of antioxidant carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, yellow corn is also beneficial to the eyes and can promote eye health. It’s also a vital source of many vitamins and minerals.
However, moderate consumption of whole-grain corn, such as popcorn or sweet corn, can be an excellent addition to a healthy diet.
Similarities Between Sweet Corn and Corn
- Both regular corn and sweet corn are well known as maize and are both starchy.
- Sweet corn and regular corn both take a similar appearance and shape.
- They are a great source of food rich in health-boosting nutrients.
- Both sweet corn and regular corn are used in making a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Nutrition facts about Corn
Here are the nutrition facts for about 3.5 ounces (that is 100 grams) of boiled yellow corn:
1. Calories: 96
2. Water: 73%
3. Protein: 3.4 grams
4. Carbs: 21 grams
5. Sugar: 4.5 grams
6. Fiber: 2.4 grams
7. Fat: 1.5 grams
Reference:
1. “Sweet Corn.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
2. “Nutritional Facts“. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019.
3. “Similarities“. WebMD
