White Corn
Estimated Inventory, 48 ct : -3.43
This item was last sold on : 12/24/24
Description/Taste
White corn has an elongated, straight, and cylindrical appearance, averaging 10 to 25 centimeters in length, and is encased in many layers of light green husks. Within the tightly wrapped husk, each layer is textured, fibrous, and semi-rough, and surrounding the cob is a layer of delicate pale yellow corn silks. One ear of White corn can contain 200 to 400 kernels, and the small, oval to oblong plump kernels grow in rows extending the length of the cob. White corn kernels have a tender, succulent, and crisp consistency when ripe due to their high sugar content, but as it ages, the kernels will transform their sugar into starch, creating a tougher, chewier, and doughier texture. The kernels also bear a white to cream-colored surface and a white interior. White corn will range in texture and flavor, depending on the variety, but the kernels are generally mild, sweet, and subtly nutty.
Seasons/Availability
White corn is available year-round.
Current Facts
White corn, botanically classified as Zea mays, is a general descriptor used to encompass many different light-colored sweet corn varieties belonging to the Poaceae family. Corn is an ancient crop, historically known as Maize, and has been cultivated for thousands of years. The tall, fast-growing stalks reach up to 4 meters in height, sometimes 7 meters, there are many different White corn cultivars cultivated worldwide, selectively bred over time to showcase improved flavor, texture, and growth characteristics. The kernels are primarily used as fresh food, or they are dried and processed into flour, cornmeal, starch, and non-culinary goods such as paper. It is important to note that White corn and yellow corn share similar flavor profiles, and the main distinguishing factor is color. Corn is divided into three main categories: normal, sugar-enhanced, and supersweet. Each category describes the variety’s sugar levels, texture, and storage abilities, with supersweet cultivars having the longest shelf life and being one of the most popular types sold in the United States in the present day. White corn will vary in flavor depending on the variety of corn and its categorical assignment, but in general, the kernels can be used for any recipe calling for corn.
Nutritional Value
White corn is a good source of fiber to stimulate the digestive tract and contains vitamin E, an antioxidant to protect the body and cells against damage caused by free radicals. The kernels also provide vitamin C to strengthen the immune system, potassium to balance fluid levels, B vitamins to maintain optimal nerve functioning, and lower amounts of phosphorus, iron, copper, and magnesium.
Applications
White corn has a sweet, delicate flavor well-suited for fresh and cooked preparations, including roasting, sautéing, steaming, boiling, and grilling. The kernels can be removed from the cob and tossed into salads, pureed into dips, or stirred into pasta. They can also be incorporated into muffins, cakes, biscuits, and bread, cooked into chowder, used as a topping over pizza, mashed and fried into fritters, or blended with beans and used as a vegetarian burger patty. White corn is extremely versatile and can be utilized in almost any recipe calling for corn. Beyond mixed preparations, White corn can also be prepared simply and served as a side dish. The entire cob can be grilled, developing a smoky richness, or it can be steamed or boiled for a lighter taste. White corn can also be dried and ground for use as breading, flour, or starch. White corn pairs well with herbs such as basil, parsley, mint, and cilantro, peas, squash, beans, fennel, mushrooms, arugula, peppers, salty and nutty cheeses, meats such as pork, beef, and poultry, and seafood, including lobster, scallops, and fish. White corn should be kept in its husk and stored in a plastic bag where it will keep for a couple of days. If the corn was purchased without a husk, wrap the cobs in plastic and store them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Mexico is one of the top importers of White corn, purchasing over 50% of the corn exported from the United States. The cream-colored to white cobs are traditionally used fresh rather than processed, and though White corn is grown locally in Mexico, the demand is significantly higher than what the country can produce. According to ancient Mexican legends, corn was gifted to Earth by the gods and is a life-sustaining crop. White corn is commonly utilized in Mexico to make tortillas, tamales, cornbread, cornmeal, and more creative dishes such as ice cream, cakes, and puddings. Mexico is also known for its grassroots corn festivals, which are a time for communities to gather and honor one of their indigenous crops. In Jala, a small town in the Mexican state of Nayarit, White corn is celebrated for the first two weeks in August during the Feria del Elota or Sweet Corn Festival. The annual celebration showcases many different varieties of corn that are grown locally in Jala and honors the cultural, economic, and culinary importance of the crop. During the festival, visitors can watch live entertainment, including bull riding, dance performances, fireworks, and various competitions, and they can also sample local culinary creations featuring corn. In addition to the festival, Jala is known for growing some of the world's largest corncobs. The festival features a competition for the longest corn cob, and some of the past winners included cobs that extended over 50 centimeters in length.
Geography/History
Corn is a descendant of a wild species native to Mexico that has been naturally growing for over 7000 years. Experts believe the wild corn species was grown from teosinte, an ancient grass, and teosinte can still be found wild in Mexico in the present day. Throughout Mexico, corn was domesticated by indigenous Mesoamericans in prehistoric times. The oldest known remains of corn were discovered in Mexico's Valley of Tehuacan, dating back to 2750 BCE. Over time, migrating peoples brought corn with them on their journeys, spreading the crop across the Americas. Corn was often sown by civilizations in a system of planting called the three sisters, growing beans, squash, and corn. The crop was cultivated throughout Mayan, Incan, and Aztec civilizations, and with each season, corn was selectively bred to exhibit improved characteristics. Christopher Columbus and other Spanish and Portuguese explorers were primarily responsible for introducing corn to the rest of the world, and since its evolutionary spread, corn has become one of the most cultivated crops worldwide. Today White corn is cultivated on every continent, except for Antarctica, and in the United States, White corn is mainly grown in Nebraska and Texas, with smaller quantities being produced in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana. Worldwide, White corn can be found fresh through farmer’s markets, specialty grocers, and supermarkets.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Barbarella La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-7373 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Lafayette Hotel - Beginners Diner | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Barleymash | San Diego CA | |
| Farmers Bottega | San Diego CA | 619-306-8963 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Craft House Sky Deck | San Diego CA | 619-948-4458 |
| Hasta Manana Cantina | San Diego CA | 619-276-6700 |
| The Cottage Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-454-8409 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Pendry SD (Lion Fish) | San Diego CA | 619-738-7000 |
| Mission Ave Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-717-5899 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Bistro du Marche by Tapenade | La Jolla CA | 858-551-7500 |
| University Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-5200 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-3085 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Cocina de Barrio Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Cocina De Barrio | San Diego CA | 760-840-1129 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Artifact at Mingei | San Diego CA | 619-846-2164 |
| Stout Public House | San Diego CA | 619-702-7933 |
| Ron Oliver | San Diego | 619-295-3172 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Rose Café | Carlsbad CA | 310-399-0711 |
| DoubleTree By Hilton San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-881-6900 |
| Piatti | San Diego CA | 858-454-1589 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| Junkyard Sports Bar and Grill | Oceanside CA | 760-407-8500 |
| Encontro North Park | San Diego CA | 310-955-6333 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Cody's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0040 |
| Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
| Mission Pacific | Oceanside CA | 760-450-7864 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
| Saiko Sushi-Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0868 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-316-7314 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens | Escondido CA | 915-861-2297 |
| Lumi | San Diego CA | 619-955-5750 |
| The Mission EV | San Diego CA | 619-232-7662 |
| The Mission MB | San Diego CA | 858-488-9060 |
| Salt and Lime | Del Mar CA | 858-926-8582 |
| Parkhouse Eatery | San Diego CA | 619 295 7275 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-655-7459 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Special Order | San Diego CA | 619-876-4070 |
| Comedor Nishi | La Jolla CA | 619-549-9919 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| La Dona | San Diego CA | 858-352-8134 |
| The Mission NP | San Diego CA | 619-220-8992 |
| C 2 C | San Diego CA | 619-972-9345 |
| Mister A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include White Corn. One
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