What are Some Different Types of Corn?
While there are many different types of corn, the two most common types of cornare sweet corn and field corn. Within these two main groups are many distinct and separate varieties. Each variety has its advantages and disadvantages. Some are meant for higher yield, others are bred for taste.
For most people, different types of corn may never enter their minds. If it does, what they usually are talking about are sweet corn varieties. As with almost any type of food, sweet corn can taste slightly different depending on the species. Just like a Valencia orange and a navel orange are not the same, the various types of corn all have their own nuances.
Sweet corn is broken down into a number of different species, each belonging to one of four major subdivisions. Those subdivisions include - from less sweet to most sweet - standard, sugar extender, supersweet and synergistic. Any of these types of corn are usually agreeable for human consumption.
However, it does get a little more complicated. Within these subdivisions, the types of corn are broken down into white corn, yellow corn and bi-colored corn. Which varieties to plant are not just based on taste, but also on local conditions. Some hold up against the weather better in windier environments, for example. Still other choices may be made if the growing season is usually a short one.
While there are many varieties of field corn, some of the most common include dent corn, flint corn, flour corn and waxy corn. These types of corn all have their own special features. For example, flint corn has a hard starch layer that protects the entire kernel. Dent corn will have dents in the crown of each kernel when it is fully ripe and beginning to dry. However, many species of corn, even sweet corn, can develop dents if it gets too dehydrated.
In general, most of the corn grown throughout the world is field corn. In the United States, for example, field corn represents approximately 90 percent of the annual corn harvest. Some is used for livestock feed. Some is used in ethanol production. Some, even the same kernels, may be used for both ethanol production and livestock feed.
Field corn is also used in a variety of non-traditional uses. For example, some types of corn are used to produce cleaning solvents. Others are used to industrial processes to dust molds, for example, which help prevents certain undesirable bonding to take place. There is even corn-based carpet. Indeed, different types of corn, when considered as a whole, may be one of nature's most useful and versatile crops.
Written by Ken Black
