Easy tips to choose the sweetest corn every time

Close your eyes and picture what you like best about summertime. At some point, your mind will wander toward all your favorite foods. You know, the kind that are bursting with so much flavor that you crave all season and miss when the weather turns cold again. And at the top of that list is fresh corn. It’s pure joy just seeing corn on the cob piled high at the market. You can’t wait to get it home and slather those big, juicy kernels with butter (or make any number of fresh corn recipes). Heck, even the challenging part of shucking corn is part of the fun. But have you ever peeled off the husk and silk only to find it has tiny, shriveled, or missing kernels? Aw, shucks! (Sorry, had to say it.)

As much as you want to peel back the husk at the store to take a peek, that is a big no-no. In fact, some stores even have signs forbidding the removal of husks before you buy them. So, do you know how to pick corn on the cob correctly? There are some easy signs to look for when choosing the sweetest, plumpest, and freshest corn without removing its outer layer.

How to Pick Corn on the Cob at the Store

Okay boys and girls, it’s time to use your senses! First, use your eyes. The husk should be bright green and snugly wrapped around the cob. If the husk is pale or loose, it indicates moisture loss. Next, look at the silk. The tassels sticking out of the end should be light to golden brown. If they are brittle or black and slimy, don’t choose that ear. Lastly, look at the stem. It should be light yellow, which points to freshness, rather than brown.

Next, use your touch. The husk, tassels, and stem should all feel slightly moist. If any part is super dry, that means the kernels are most likely drying up as well. The corn should also feel heavy for its size. That density indicates juicy kernels. You can also run your fingers along the husk and feel for kernels underneath. They should feel firm and plump even toward the top.

How to Keep Corn on the Cob Fresh After Picking

Corn is at its sweetest the day it is picked, but it can stay fresh for up to one week if stored properly. First, store it unshucked. As soon as the husk and silk are removed, the kernels will dry out (which is one big reason stores don’t want you doing it before you buy). Store the ears loose in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. Don’t wrap them, because that encourages mold growth. Ick!

When you’re ready to eat the corn, that’s when you can shuck it and reveal the gloriously sweet corn that you picked so carefully. Congrats! Now get out those little corn-shaped holders and the butter, because it’s time to chow down. And don’t forget you can also freeze corn so you can have a taste of summer even when the season is over.