In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleSelecting the Best CornHow Long Does It Last?Moldy Kernels?What About Worms?Missing KernelsBad Cooked Corn
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
Selecting the Best Corn
How Long Does It Last?
Moldy Kernels?
What About Worms?
Missing Kernels
Bad Cooked Corn
Close
Photo: Getty Images
Few things are sweeter in the summertime than fresh corn. It’sa healthy vegetablethat can be enjoyed simply with some butter and salt or can be turned intofresh griddled tortillas, a cheesy casserole and even fritters.
Unfortunately, corn can turn from sweet and fresh to spoiled more quickly than you might think. Here’s how to ensure you’re picking the cream of the crop and what to look out for on your next grocery store run.
How to Cut Corn Off the Cob, According to Our Test Kitchen
How to Select Corn at the Store
Corn will be best enjoyed on the day you purchase it, so picking the freshest available is a must. “At the store or your farmers market, ask how fresh the corn is. The closer you get it to harvest, the better,” advisesRachael Narins, a Los Angeles-based cookbook author and chef-instructor.
Go for ears that are firm to the touch, with moist-looking bright green husks. As for the silk tassels, the hair-like strands sticking out from the top of the corn, they should also look fresh. Some browning at the top is OK, but if they’re entirely brown or dried out, put them back.
“If you’re selecting unshucked cobs, they should feel heavy, and the kernels should feel plump when gently squeezed. The fresher your corn, the sweeter it will be,” says Narins.
Corn that does not exhibit these qualities should be avoided. If it’s not in great shape at the store, it will quickly go bad at home, turning soft or mushy with a dried-out husk and fully browned tassel. Withered or dry kernels are another sign your corn is past its prime.
How Long Does Corn Last? How Should I Store My Corn?
Corn isn’t an item you should pick up early in the week if you aren’t planningto eat ituntil the weekend. If you can’t enjoy it on the day of purchase, though, there’s hope to keep it fresh for up to 2 days:
If you don’t get to your corn within a day or two, try freezing it instead. Narins shares, “If you want to preserve a bit of summer, corn freezes well on the cob, or you can cut the kernels off. Place either in a large plastic bag and lay flat in your freezer. It will keep for up to 4 months.”
Healthy Corn Salad Recipes
What If Some of My Corn Kernels Are Moldy?
The appearance and aroma of your corn are the two main ways to tell whether or not it has gone bad. If it’s giving off a rancid or moldy smell, or has a slimy and mushy texture, it should betossed in your compost. Similarly, if there’s any visible mold on your corn, it has gone bad.
What If I Find a Worm in My Corn?
If you’re getting ready to make dinner only to discover a worm joining you, it’s likely a corn earworm. The corn itself is still fine to eat. You can discard the worm and just chop off the area (likely the tip) where it was chowing down, and add it toyour compost bin.
What If My Corn Kernels Are Irregularly Sized or Missing?
If you notice some kernels are larger than others, a few kernels are missing or the tip is totally barren, don’t sweat it. The corn is still perfectly fine to enjoy; it just wasn’t properly pollinated or experienced stress in the growing stage, according to a 2023 review published inPlants. Each kernel needs to be properly fertilized in order to grow, and if the process is unsuccessful, you may be left with only cob and no corn in some areas.
How to Tell If Cooked Corn Is Bad
Ideally, you’ll catch corn on the cob that has gone bad before cooking, as it can be harder to identify spoilage when dressed in butter or toppings. The same slimy texture and moldy smell that identify fresh corn as being bad can also be signs that your cooked corn has gone bad.
The Bottom Line
Corn is a hearty crop. At its peak, it should be firm, plump and brightly colored. Slimy, smelly or moldy corn is bad. If you find a worm, just pick it out. A few missing kernels? Still perfectly edible. Especially during the summer, it’s hard to find a more delicious, affordable and simple-to-prepare vegetable.
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
Tell us why!OtherSubmit
Tell us why!
