Post by Trade facilitator on Sept 25, 2022 14:17:22 GMT 1
What is baby corn?
Baby corn is the immature growth of any variety of corn. Instead of allowing the corn to grow to full maturity, baby corn is harvested before the corn has been fertilized, when it can still be eaten whole, cob and all together. Can you beat this? I know that many Nigerians are not used to this type of corn, but it has started surfacing in many supermarkets across the nation.
It can also be referred to as a cereal grain harvested from corn early while the stalks are still small and immature. As said earlier, it is eaten whole – cob included – in contrast to mature corn, that one’s cob is too tough for human consumption. This type of corn can even be eaten raw. It is common in stir fry dishes.
Baby corn is in the realm of baby vegetables that are both great and fun to eat. Unlike its baby carrot friends, which are adult carrots masquerading as babies, baby corn is just what it sounds like — the small, early growth on a stalk of corn, and although it’s not quite as sweet as its mature counterparts, it makes up for it by being adorable.
Which country produces most baby corn?
Though most baby corn are consumed in the United States, it is produced mostly in Asian countries — especially Thailand, where it’s harvested by hand. It’s this hand-harvesting requirement (regular corn harvesting machinery isn’t made for the small size of baby corn) that makes fresh baby corn almost impossible to find commercially in the major cities of U.S., and thus, most of the baby corn available comes in jars or cans unless you happen to grow your own.
What does baby corn taste like?
Baby corn has a similar flavor to normal corn, but because it’s picked early, it lacks the starch that gives normal corn its characteristic sweetness. Instead, it has an earthy, almost nutty flavor and a satisfying pop in texture. Baby corn has a mild flavour with a crunchy texture, like we said earlier it works well in soup, salads, stir fries, and curries.
How do you cook with baby corn?
Baby corn can be added, whole or sliced, to stir-fries and sautés, where it retains its crunchiness. It can also be grilled, as in a riff on elote in which baby corn is substituted for fully grown corn on the cob. Baby corn can also be eaten raw, in salads and grain bowls. As a perfect dipper, baby corn is also a fun addition to crudité platters.
Growing baby corn:
Though there are some specialty corn varieties bred specially for growing baby corn that are made to grow more corn per stalk, baby corn growers can however use any variety of corn to grow baby corn. You can use sweet corn or field corn to produce healthy baby corn. The taste of immature corn varies; however, the texture gets tougher the longer you wait to harvest your corn.
Growing baby corn isn't much different from growing regular corn; it is also a warm-season crop that requires full sun. Farmers harvest full-size corn when the silks at the ends of the husks turn brown, up to 100 days from planting. Baby corn needs a good water supply due to its short production period. Harvesting typically takes place about 50 to 60 days after planting seeds.
Most of the baby corn exported to Europe and the US is sold in cans to avoid spoilage. But there's also a demand for fresh baby corn in countries like Taiwan and Japan, says a trusted source.
The size, texture, and taste are the main differences between baby corn and full-size corn. Because baby corn is immature, the hard cob has yet to develop fully, allowing you to eat the vegetable whole.
When growing baby corn, producers tend to favor corn varieties with a long, slender shape with a creamy yellow color.
Farmers in Nigeria are advised to key into this business as you can now grow your corn round the year, and this special business will fetch you more money.
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