Storing corn on the cob and grain

Storing corn on the cob is the only way to preserve all the beneficial qualities of this amazing plant. There are many different methods on how to properly store corn on the cob for the winter. All conditions for this process must be met. This is the only way to ensure that the shelf life of corn grain is long.

Choosing corn for storage

The benefits of this plant are described in many sources. So, it is known that it contributes to the normalization of the work of almost all systems of the human body. It should also be used to prevent colds and infectious diseases in the autumn-spring period of the year. This product is also needed for the treatment of various chronic diseases.

Before talking about drying corn, you need to understand the rules for harvesting and the proper preparation of this plant.

Although America is the birthplace of corn, this plant has spread throughout the world since the middle of the last century. In the Federation, the product is grown in the south and in greenhouses in Siberia.

Harvest Basics

Many corn-on-the-cob growers harvest at the end of August. This is necessary to ensure the subsequent care: stabilization of temperature and humidity for storing corn grains. Collection must be done after morning dew in sunny weather.

Shopping Basics

In stores, as a rule, 2 varieties of corn are sold:

1. Stern. The fruits of this plant are large. The grains of this corn are rigid in structure, have a bright yellow color up to an orange hue. Most often it is used as feed for livestock. However, such a variety is not contraindicated for a person.
2. Food. The size of such a product is quite small, but the grains are large, soft and sweet. The color varies from milky to light yellow.

When choosing corn, you need to focus not only on the appearance of the product itself, but also on its smell and elasticity:

1. To make it easier to dry the corn cobs, they must be young and fresh. The main condition is that these fruits must be in “clothes”. In this case, the leaves should have a bright green color, and the antennae should be sufficiently moistened.
2. To dry corn on the cob well, the kernels must fit snugly together, have the same yellow tint, and be juicy and resilient.
3. The grains at the base should be soft, and when pressed, give juice.

The drier and harder the seed of this plant, the worse it will retain its nutritional properties.

What to look for when buying corn

The special attention of the buyer should be attracted by various spots on the grains of the cobs:

1. Transparent swelling indicates the presence of the disease “bubble smut”.
2. A white coating with pink spores indicates that the product has Fusarium.
3. Depressed spots of a pale gray color, and after decay – a yellow and brown hue, show the presence of a “bacteriosis” in the plant.
4. Moldy fungi cause poisoning in humans, and in severe cases, death, they are easy to find: yellow-greenish spots will be visible on the cobs.

Also, do not take a plant that is partially eaten away by insects or birds. In this case, the risk of various infections that are transmitted from birds and insects is high.

A sharp chemical and synthetic smell from the plant should alert. Corn is not suitable for consumption.

Preparing corn for storage

Particular attention should be paid to the preparatory work with this plant.

Harvesting

Harvesting begins when the milky ripeness of the product is reached. The choice of ears is made on the basis of the presence of the following factors:

• dryness of the outer layer of the cob;
• change in the color of the cob;
• the softness of the grains and their light juice;
• dry threads from the sides of the fruit.

The main criterion for the collection is not the appearance of the component, but the moisture content of the product.

Prepare

Further processing of the crop takes place in several stages:

1. Cleaning. You should first remove the debris from the grains, spoiled, wrinkled fruits, as well as rotten cobs.
2. Drying. Using various methods, you need to dry the product thoroughly.
3. Prepare places for storing harvested crops for the winter.

Moreover, this algorithm is used for both food and fodder corn.

How long can you keep fresh corn in the fridge

Fresh corn at room temperature is stored for a short time, a maximum of 3 days. But in the refrigerator, the shelf life of this product increases. Moreover, in the refrigerator itself, corn (both on the cob and in grain) can lie, retaining its beneficial qualities, for 3 months. In the freezer, the shelf life increases to 1,5 years. True, first it should be held first in boiling water, then in cold water and repeat the procedure 2 times.

How to store fresh corn for the winter

There are two main ways to harvest this component for the winter: freezing and conservation. The only difference is in the harvesting technology. The shelf life in this case varies from 6 months to 1,5 years.

Before freezing, the component should be dipped in boiling water for several hours, and then in cold water. You can use salt and lemon juice. Then thoroughly dry the product and pack in hermetically sealed containers.

Preservation requires heat treatment of either the plant itself or containers for it. In addition, in this case, you can add other components to the workpiece.

How to store boiled corn

Heat treatment increases the shelf life of the plant. However, it requires special conditions of detention. There are various storage methods, among which there are 3 basic areas:

1. On the cob in the fridge. Here you can put either the pot itself with a boiled plant, or individual corn cobs carefully wrapped in cling film. In this case, the shelf life will be 2-3 days, no more.
2. Beans in the refrigerator. The grains must first be dissolved in water and sterilized jars should be poured with this solution. You need to put the containers in the lower compartment. The shelf life will be 2-3 months.
3. In the freezer. After cooking, the product must be allowed to cool and dry. Then portionwise, the cobs should be wrapped in cling film and put in the freezer. The shelf life of such a blank is approximately 1-1,5 years.

How to dry corn

There are many different methods for drying this unique plant. However, there are not many popular methods.

In the basement or cellar

The technology is quite simple:

1. Prepare the cobs of the plant.
2. Tie in pigtails without breaking off the leaves.
3. Hang in the basement or cellar.

The main condition is good ventilation of the room. Readiness is checked by shaking: if the grain flows well during this process, then the product is completely dried, it can be used further.

In the oven

The harvesting technology is even simpler compared to the previous version:

1. Rinse the plant thoroughly, dry on a paper towel.
2. Arrange the grains on a baking sheet covered with parchment in a thin layer.
3. Put in an oven preheated to 100 degrees for half an hour.

Then dry at room temperature until fully cooked.

In the dryer

This method is similar to the previous method. Grains must be prepared in the same way. Then spread evenly on the surface of the dryer. Turn on the temperature of about 40-60 degrees and leave for 10-12 hours.

Read the user manual carefully before using the electrical appliance.

Storage of sour corn for fishing

As a rule, this sour plant is used when catching carp, crucian carp and other various fish.

Preparing such a nutritious product is quite simple: it is salted, fermented for several days at room temperature (about 7 days), and then put in the refrigerator.

Storage conditions are the same: sealed packaging without air access, compliance with humidity and temperature conditions. Shelf life is up to 1 month.

Common mistakes when storing corn

The main reasons for the decrease in the shelf life of corn are:

1. Incorrect harvesting of the product: lack of preparatory work and the necessary technology for preparing the plant.
2. Failure to comply with important parameters: humidity above 15% and temperature above 4 degrees Celsius.
3. Packaging leakage. Air access enhances the processes of product decay.

To avoid damage to the plant, the above errors should be avoided.

Conclusion

Storing corn on the cob is not that difficult. It is enough to know the basic rules for choosing and preparing a plant and take into account the optimal conditions and features of its maintenance.