Corn on the cob is a delicacy for many people as they tend to be more preserved in their natural form. But this practice might come with some issues and that includes seeing white spots on corn on the cob. You might be wondering what causes this.
White spots on corn on the cob are molds. The mold called fusarium ear rot can be white, pink, or salmon in color and can develop anywhere on the ear or scattered kernels. Infected kernels usually show white or pinkish streaks and are tan or brown in color. Fusarium ear rot frequently affects multiple areas of the corn.
How To Eat Corn On The Cob
As far as natural foods go, corn is a little debatable because it is both a vegetable and a grain. Corn shouldn’t be consumed by some people if they normally experience digestive issues. Others eat corn excessively yet still digest it well, so it depends on the individual.
In general, corn is a good source of fiber and protein. It’s an excellent addition to your diet if you can consume it in moderation without feeling gastrointestinal distress. How do you tell whether corn on the cob is bad, though? What occurs if you consume poor corn?
You should be aware that fresh corn on the cob has a limited shelf life, whether harvested or purchased. It is ideal if you can cook it within 24 hours of buying or harvesting it.
Make sure the corn is well wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil, and keep your fridge in the cold setting if you must store it in the refrigerator for a few days before cooking it (ideally 35 degrees Fahrenheit).
Corn will get rough and dry out when exposed to air. Fresh corn should always be consumed within three to five days of being picked or purchased, regardless of how well it is packaged.
How Long Does Cooked Corn Stay Fresh?
If you wrap cooked corn on the cob tightly, you may store it in the fridge for three to five days. Place it in a dish that can be heated in the microwave, cover it with a damp paper towel, and cook it there. Every 20-second heating increment should result in turning the corn over so that it will cook evenly.
The corn ears can also be cooked by simply boiling some water on the stove, adding them, and cooking them for about three minutes. Even though this somewhat overcooks the food, it will still be tasty. Boiling is better as it eliminates the risk of corn kernels popping or turning hard while microwaving.
- Corn on the cob should always be kept chilled at a temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
- If you store corn on the cob with the husks, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for longer.
- Corn on the cob that has been husked needs to be carefully wrapped in foil or plastic for storage.
- After being refrigerated, raw corn on the cob should be cooked within three days.
- After being frozen, cooked corn on the cob should be consumed within five days of being refrigerated.
What Happens When You Eat Poor Corn?
As with any food, eating contaminated corn increases your risk of developing food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is also crucial to note that many people have corn allergies. Eating fresh corn may cause you to suffer these symptoms if you are one of them.
Overall, common sense tells us to make an effort to eat correctly cooked, fresh, and clean food. Always store corn properly, consume it quickly, and comprehensively prepare it.
How Long Can Corn On The Cob Last?
Fresh corn on the cob and cooked corn on the cob have different shelf lives. The shelf life of freshly harvested corn on the cob is between one and three days. However, other factors—which we detail below—also impact this.
The husks of fresh corn on the cob will make it last longer in the refrigerator. Till you are ready to utilize the corn, leave the husk on. If the corn you purchased has had the husks removed, you should wrap it in foil to maintain its freshness.
Up to 8 months will pass before frozen corn on the cob expires. According to experts, the following procedures must be followed to freeze fresh corn on the cob.
- Grind the corn.
- Take the silk off, then clean it with cold water.
- Blanch the corn in boiling water for seven to ten minutes, depending on its size.
- Place it right away in freezing water.
- Once it has cooled, remove the moisture.
- For storage, enclose it in freezer bags or airtight containers.
Cooked Corn On The Cob
The shelf life of cooked corn on the cob is between three to five days. It is preferable to freeze the corn if you need to keep it for a more extended period. About ten months is the shelf life of frozen cooked corn on the cob. Use sturdy freezer bags or sealed containers to freeze cooked corn on the cob.
How Can I Tell If Corn Is Unhealthy?
Does corn go bad because it typically has a long shelf life as a vegetable? or does corn on the cob get bad? Whether cooked or raw, maize can still go bad and expire, just like any other food. How do you tell whether corn on the cob is terrible, though?
There are several indicators of spoiling, including a change in appearance, a brown hue, a putrid odor, and a slimy texture. Fresh veggies like green onions and green beans often exhibit these symptoms.
To increase the shelf life, we need to understand why maize spoils before learning how to identify them. The damp climate is one of the most frequent reasons why corn spoils.
Corns will be an easy target for bacteria, mold, and fungi to develop and populate if they are exposed to a lot of moisture. The characteristics of those who are contaminated include:
Color And Appearance Of The Corn
The first indication of poor corn can be seen in its outward look. Corn that is in good health will be uniformly white to golden yellow in color with no damaged areas.
If the corn has a black spot or the kernels brown when boiling, you can tell by looking at the corn’s appearance. This indicates moldy maize, which you should throw away immediately to avoid food poisoning.
The husk and silk hues can also be used to detect the change in appearance. The silk is often a light yellow, while the husk usually has a green tint.
Those with dark brown husks show that the corn on the cob has begun to mold. Additionally, I advise against eating the sections that have been disinfected because they could be contaminated with mold and fungi.
Smell Of Corn
Since corn husk mold can often be difficult to see since it might be so small, smelling it can help you discover changes in your corn. The shift in scent is another indicator of stale corn on the cob. The scent of infected corn will be sour and rotten.
To avoid infecting other veggies, it is advisable to take them out of storage as soon as you notice a change.
Texture Of Corn
Last but not least, you can detect a spoiling sign by touching the corn ears. The bumps of healthy corn would be dry and firm, with just a hint of wetness from the husks. That is the most crucial element in preparing the perfect popcorn.
However, if you discover red mold on corn that has a slimy texture, the corn is in the process of spoiling. The corn itself may also have a sour flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Should Corn Be Stored In A Freezer?
Before storing the corn, it must first be prepared. You shouldn’t wash the maize before storing it because doing so can add moisture, which raises the possibility of mold and bacteria growth.
To preserve their quality, it is recommended to let them alone and place them in a freezer bag or other airtight container. After that, you can keep them in the refrigerator for further use.
How Long Will Corn Stay Fresh In the Fridge?
Corn on the cob can stay fresh for around 3-5 days if you have followed my guidelines for corn preparation before storing.
How Long Should Corn Be Kept In The Freezer?
You can freeze the corn until you need to cook it if you don’t need to use it within the time mentioned above. For ten to twelve months, frozen corn can be kept with no issue. One method of freezing corn, though, is just storing the kernels. Doing this may preserve the original corn’s appearance, flavor, and texture.
Conclusion
While corn is fantastic food in your diet, rotten corn can cause more than just tummy troubles. Therefore, it is advisable to always examine the corn for symptoms of spoilage before eating it. This article should assist you in determining if the corn in your refrigerator is safe to eat or whether it’s time to buy some fresh cobs.
Hiiii! My name is Ruth and I am an experienced chef with a passion for food and cooking. My love of baking began when I was nine, and I have since been refining my skills in the kitchen ever since.
