Corn
Corn offers a crunch and natural sweetness, fresh or processed.
Flavor
warm
sweet
pungent
bitter
floral
earthy
citrus
smoky
How to use it
Sweetest Corn Ever. Grilling caramelizes sugars, boosting sweetness.
Crunch Controller. Post-boil, an ice water bath stabilizes cell walls, locking in crunch.
Common mistakes
- Overcooking dries out corn, leading to tough texture.
- Premature husk removal speeds up moisture loss.
What goes with corn
- Bacon. Bacon's fat and smoky notes pair perfectly with corn's sweetness.
- Lime. Lime's acid brightens corn's sweetness, as in grilled street corn.
- Cilantro. Cilantro adds a fresh contrast to corn's sweetness.
- Basil. Sweet corn kernels and fresh basil pair in summer salads.
- Jalapeño. Jalapeno's heat cuts corn's sweetness.
- Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise's creamy fat coats sweet corn, as in elote.
- Poblano. Poblano's mild, smoky heat balances corn's sweetness.
- Shrimp. Corn's sweetness matches shrimp's, and both are quick-cooking.
Try tonight
- Grill with butter and herbs on the cob.
- Toss kernels into salads for crunch.
- Blend into a smooth corn soup.
Storage
Refrigerate fresh corn with husks on to preserve moisture, or freeze kernels for longer storage.