How to Choose Sweet Corn

Do you know how to choose the perfect ear of sweet corn every time? Check out our three simple tips and free printable, and you’ll never pick a bad one!

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Is there a better time of year than sweet corn season? We look forward to it every single year! There is just something about fresh corn on the cob, no matter how you can it or freeze it, you never get quite the same flavor.

So what’s the secret to getting the perfect ear of sweet corn every time? Let’s find out!

How to Choose the Freshest Corn on the Cob

Sweet corn is best when it is the most fresh, just like every other fruit and vegetable. But corn is all wrapped up in that green husk, so how can you tell when it’s still fresh, or when it’s been sitting around for a few days?

First, look at the silks. The silks are those yellow-brown hair-like things poking out of the top of the corn husk. They should be brown, and just a little tacky. If the silks are completely dry, that’s a sign that the corn is a few days past its prime. If the silks are wet, or are turning black, that means the corn is even older. Pass it by.

Second, look at the husks. All those leaves wrapping the corn should be bright green with very little (or no) brown, and should be very tightly wrapping the corn. If the edges of the leaves are starting to turn brown or if the leaves are starting to get loose, skip that ear. You also want to look for damage to the leaves. Any sign of mold or other changes to the leaves, and you should pass on that ear.

Third, feel the ear through the husk, especially the tip near the silks. You don’t need to peel the husk back to “see” what the corn looks like, just give it a little squeeze! You should be able to feel plump, firm kernels almost all the way from the bottom of the ear to the top. If the corn feels “squishy,” the kernels are probably starting to dry out after being picked.

If you can see the kernels (or if you just have to peel the husks back), look for bright, plump, firm kernels. After corn is picked, it starts to dry out. When corn starts to dry out, you’ll see that the corn kernels start to shrivel and get dimpled or dented. That corn will be dry, tough, and chewy.

Free Printable for How to Choose Sweet Corn

Click here to download your free copy of this printable.

That’s it! Three (and a half, if you’re a peeler) steps to choosing the perfect ear of corn. And you can do it all without making a huge mess by shucking corn in the middle of the grocery store or farmer’s market!

Our Must-Have Tools for Sweet Corn

We cook a lot of sweet corn here over the summer, and we freeze even more! Here are the tools I use with our sweet corn all summer long.

Have you ever wondered what goes into growing delicious sweet corn? See how we do it here on our farm!

What’s your favorite way to eat sweet corn?

Enjoy!

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