I like produce. I like to grow it. I like to eat it. I like to create recipes with it. I’m also kind of a nerd and like to get to know my produce. I like learning new or fun tidbits of info about the produce I’m growing/eating/baking. If you’re a weirdo like me then buckle up for this new series as I dive into a plethora of produce facts and share them with you.
1. In the U.S we characterize corn as a vegetable, however in many parts of the world {and on many nutrition charts} corn is considered a grain.
2. Corn grown outside North America, Australia, and New Zealand means any cereal crop. Maize is the more formal and internationally recognized name for corn. So should we start calling it popmaize?
3. Native Americans taught the European settlers how to grow and prepare corn. For some time it was thought the Native Americans also taught them how to prepare popcorn, which the settlers ate as a breakfast cereal with milk and maple syrup. {But that myth was totally debunked, and you can read about it HERE}. I’m all about ice cream for breakfast, but popcorn?
4. Corn is the 3rd most produced crop in the world, behind only wheat and rice, but in terms of planted acres, it’s second only to wheat.
Savory Garlic and Herb Corn recipe
5. An average ear of corn has 800 kernels arranged in 16 rows and there is actually one piece of silk for EVERY kernel.
6. One bushel of corn can make 2.5 gallons of ethanol fuel, 33 pounds of sweetener or 32 pounds of starch. Wowza!
Cheesy Zucchini and Corn Casserole recipe
7. Fresh corn on the cob will lose up to 40% of its sugar content after about 6 hours of room temperature storage. After that time period, the sugar is converted to starch.
8. Corn is used for many nonfood items. Fireworks, plastics, fabrics, aspirin, antibiotics, glue, paint, laundry detergent, soap, paint, ink, cosmetics and just a few.
Roasted Corn Salad with Tomatoes and Feta recipe
9. Back in the day a farmer could only harvest 100 bushels of corn per day by hand. Modern day technology produced a combine that can harvest 900 bushels of corn per hour or 100 bushels of corn in under 7 minutes! Talk about revolutionized farming. Sheesh!
10. The corn we eat is “sweet corn” (white, yellow or bi-colored), which has become even sweeter since scientists began breeding varieties with more sugar.
Cornbread Spoon Pudding recipe
Had you heard any of those fun facts before? Do you have any of your own to add? Is there a particular produce item you’re just wanting to know more about? I take requests!
Grow on,
Mavis
This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.
Brianna says
I’d like to read more about #3 – I didn’t know Native Americans ate popped corn as a breakfast cereal. Do you have a link you can share for us to learn more? Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
You just can’t believe everything you read. Note to self: don’t write posts when I’m sleepy. 😉 Here’s the link: https://newengland.com/today/living/new-england-nostalgia/the-popcorn-myth/
Helen in Meridian says
Tell Mrs. HB how much we have missed her post. Hope you both have a great weekend together. Be sure to take her to get one of those lobster rolls your dh loves while she is in lobster world. Have a meaninful time together. I am sure her life is missing you and vice versa.
Mavis Butterfield says
I will Helen!
Brianna says
Thanks for the link, that makes more sense!
Barbara Gantt says
I have known several very low income familes that feed their children popcorn with milk for breakfast. My son learned to eat it while babysitting for one of these families.
Taryn says
In New Zealand we call the corn that we eat ‘corn’ or ‘sweetcorn’ but grow maize to feed stock – usually the whole plant is over-ripened then cut and made into silage, leaves and all. Most non-rural children never use the term ‘maize’ and get quite confused when they see maize mazes – I know from my years teaching a junior reading book about it.
Deborah says
I have a recipe for Cornbread Casserole.
1 package of Mexican cornbread mix (or make your own)
1/2 (8oz) package of shredded cheddar cheese, or cheese of choice
1 can cream style corn, or fresh creamed corn
1/2 lb ground beef, cooked and drained, turkey or pork can be used
Mix cornbread as per directions. Add cooked and drained meat, cheese, and corn. Cook as per directions. Cut and eat. Enjoy!