One of the most loved and savoured food by all; corn is a yellow looking vegetable and whole grain, a staple dietary food.
Most people use corn as side dishes or ingredients for soup, casseroles, or for popcorns.
Corn is a very starchy vegetable, also low in sugar, fats, and sodium and it is an essential food for the body. So how long does corn last?
The sweet taste of corn loses its flavor if kept for too long. You should leave the husk on without removing it to preserve the corn for a more extended time.
Unshucked corn is best within two days of its purchase, while canned corn will have a longer shelf-life.
Corn is best when eaten fresh, and consuming spoiled corn does not give the body any useful nutrients.
Instead, it may harm your health, and you don’t want such a problem to occur.
How Long Does Corn Last? Does Corn Go Bad?
Like any other vegetable, corn also has its shelf limit, and it can quickly turn rotten.
You should consume cooked corn quickly and not keep it for too long because its shelf life tends to be shorter than uncooked ones.
Always keep the corn wrapped in plastic or aluminum foil to keep it lasting.
Also, if you don’t store it well, pests can also ruin the corn. Cutworms, Corn leaf aphid, Thrips, Corn rootworm, Wireworms, etc., are some of the pests which can destroy the corns if not stored carefully. The pests eat the corn and infect it.
Corn has vitamin C and vitamin B, so instead of keeping it open for long, you can eat it by boiling it in water or frying it in a bit of cooking oil. Corn serves as a good snack and also works as an excellent food for various dishes.
If you do not preserve the corn with other additional preservatives, it only lasts for a short time.
Freshly bought corn may last two or three days if it is in the cob. Beyond this, it will still be suitable for eating but will slowly lose its nutritional value.
Due to a process called “respiration,” corn loses its starch and juicy flavor. Thus, the corn becomes less appetizing as time passes.
Remember to keep the husk on the corn as this helps prevent it from drying out.
Corn indeed gets spoiled within a specific time but its best taste quality is always within three days.
After this period, the corn will lose its nutrients and degrade in quality.
Canned or preserved corn typically lasts as far as its expiry or ‘best by’ date.
If unopened, it can still be suitable to eat within months after its ‘best before’ date has been crossed, but never beyond that.
How to Tell if Corn is Bad?
Corn has a generally short shelf-life in terms of quality, but if you base it on whether it is fit to eat, corn (without preservation) may be edible till a week or two.
The simplest method to tell if corn is bad is by observing its kernels.
If you notice overly dried kernels accompanied by infestation, immediately throw the corn away as it is no longer eatable. Thus, it is always essential to maintain proper storage, but corn is best to eat fresh.
Molds and fungus quickly start growing on corn if you don’t store it well and it becomes extra moist at the tip.
To identify if corn has gone bad, you can check the corn’s top area since it can turn moist and dark in color. Moreover, the husk gets dry and hard if kept in the open for too long.
If you smell any unfamiliar (rotten, spoiled) scents on the corn, it’s best to avoid eating it as it has probably gone bad.
If packaged or canned corn has puffiness, although it is yet unopened, avoid consuming it as this shows that the contents of the can crossed its eatable stage.
Conclusion
Corn is a sweet and tasty vegetable/grain that can go well on its own or other foods.
It is a good source of protein, starch, and fiber. It can also be allergic for some people, and excessive eating can cause stomach or gastric problems.
Despite its delicious flavor, fresh corn typically lasts only for a short while.
Canned or packaged corn lasts for a more extended amount of time due to added preservatives.
Cooked corn only lasts depending on the freshness of the corn used; even the other ingredients’ freshness plays an essential role in determining whether it will go bad.
Always practice proper storage methods to keep the corn fresh and scrumptious.
After all, the fresher the corn, the more delicious it can be.
How Long Does Corn Last? Does Corn Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Corn
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
- If frozen, thaw in the fridge before use. Always check for signs of spoilage before using.
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