As we approach the first day of summer, June 11th marks the calendar to celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day each year. Fresh corn on the cob is a summertime treat people from all corners of the United States look forward to as we start the picnic season.
- In most countries corn is called maize.
- Maize is a native Taino word meaning “sacred mother,” or “giver of life.”
- Sweet corn leaves were used as chewing gum by Native Americans.
- Each cob of corn consists of usually 800 kernels that are arranged in 16 rows.
- The maximum size of kernels is about 1 inch.
- There are over 3,500 different uses for corn products.
- Corn can also be found in many non-food items such as fireworks, glue, paint, dyes, laundry detergent, soap, antibiotics, cosmetics, and in the production of plastics.
- Most processed foods contain corn, like cereals, potato chips, ice cream, baby food, peanut butter, mayonnaise, marshmallows, cooking oil, margarine, salad dressing, and chewing gum
- Corn is also used to produce ethanol (ethyl alcohol), a first-generation liquid biofuel.
- In the days of the early North American settlers, corn was so valuable that it was used as money and traded meat and furs.
- Maize is believed to be a human invention, domesticated from a grass called teosinte about 7,000 years ago.
- It takes 91 gallons of water to produce one pound of corn.
- One acre of corn eliminates 8 tons of carbon dioxide from the air.
- Corn was first domesticated by indigenous peoples in southern Mexico about 10,000 years ago.
- There are 86 calories in 100 grams (3.5 ounces) of corn.
- Health benefits of corn include controlling diabetes, prevention of heart ailments, lowering hypertension and prevention of neural-tube defects at birth.
- The antioxidants present in corn also act as anti-carcinogenic agents and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
- Popcorn consists of kernels of certain varieties that explode when heated, forming fluffy pieces that are eaten as a snack.
- Corn is cholesterol free.
- Fresh corn on the cob will lose up to 40% of its sugar content after about 6 hours of room temperature storage. After that time period, the sugar is converted to starch.
- Corn is the 3rd most produced crop in the world, behind only wheat and rice, but in terms of planted acres, it’s second only to wheat.
- Corn is America’s number one field crop. Corn leads all other crops in value and volume of production
- One bushel of corn can make 2.5 gallons of ethanol fuel, 33 pounds of sweetener or 32 pounds of starch.
- One bushel of corn will sweeten more than 400 cans of Coca-Cola.
- A pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels.
Sources:
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
