How to tell if corn on the cob is good

Q: How long does unshucked corn last in the fridge?

Its best to use your corn the day you buy or harvest it. However, you can keep it fresh longer by storing it, unwashed and unpeeled, in a sealed plastic bag in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Thisll keep it usable for about five to seven days.

Nothing says summer quite like corn on the cob. Sure, the yellow veggie isn't as glamorous as other seasonal produce, like tomatoes or peaches, but it's just as important. Think about it: Have you ever been to a backyard barbecue, beach party, or summer gathering that wasn't serving corn on the cob? I definitely haven't.

Table of Contents Show

How Long Is Corn Good For?
Does Corn on the Cob Expire?
Freezing Corn on the Cob
How to Reheat Corn on the Cob
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
How long does unshucked corn last in the fridge?
How long is corn on the cob good for?
How do you tell if corn on the cob is down?

Of course, shopping for corn isn't as simple as eating it. Since whole corn cobs are almost always sold still in their husks, it can be hard to tell what's good and what isn't if you don't know what you're looking for—you can't check for bruises or feel for ripeness like you can with a peach, after all. If you do know what you're looking for, you can actually use that husk to guide you to the right choice, Katy Green, produce field inspector at Whole Foods Market, tells SELF. These are all her tips for shopping corn.

There are tons of different kinds of corn, but only a few you're likely to encounter.

Green says that there are hundreds of different types of corn, but sweet corn is the one main category you'll probably see at the grocery store. Other categories of corn include field corn, which is used to feed livestock and mass produce things like cornmeal, and flint corn, which is colorful corn that's used for decorative purposes more than anything else—it's probably made an appearance on your Thanksgiving table at least once.

The most common varieties of corn under the sweet corn umbrella are white, yellow, and bi-color, Green explains, and, in general, white corn is sweeter than yellow. She says you might also run into red sweet corn, but that this variety is very rare. No matter which color you're shopping, you can tell the corn is good by looking for the same visual indicators.

Whatever you do, don't peel back the husk.

Every now and then I see someone at the supermarket peel back the husk on a corn cob to see if it's good or not, but Green says you definitely should not be doing that. She explains that it can expedite dehydration and cause the kernels to prematurely lose their sweetness. "Also," she adds, "peeling corn in the store can be a potential slipping hazard for your fellow shoppers!" Basically, just don't do it.

Instead, start by looking for size—Green says the ideal corn cob will be about 8-inches in length with a thick girth—then take a good long look at the husk, because you can actually use it to help you find the best corn. "For sweet corn," says Green, "you will want a bright green and well-hydrated husk." She explains that you'll want to avoid husks that are brown, slimy, or dehydrated, as that can indicate aging or improper storage. And If you notice any holes, drop it, because that can be a sign that insects have damaged the corn from the inside.

Then, get a little touchy-feely with the corn.

After you've determined that the husk is up to snuff, give the corn a nice, long squeeze. Green says that what you're doing is feeling for the kernel development pattern through the husk. She says to avoid cobs where you notice spaces between the kernels, as that can be a sign of improper pollination and less tasty corn. The kernels should be plump and developed all the way to the tip of the corn—if they aren't, that can be a sign that they were prematurely harvested.

Corn won't continue to ripen after you buy it.

Green says that corn cannot be improved after purchasing, because there is no further sugar development once it's removed from the stock. Unlike peaches, which continue to ripen long after they've been picked, you get what you get with corn.

But there is a way to make it last longer.

"When buying sweet corn, think of it as a carton of milk in terms of perishability," Green explains, "you want to get it into the refrigerator as quickly as possible." She says that if you don't, heat can cause the sugars in the kernels to transition into starch, which will ultimately make the vegetable less sweet. And heat can lead to a dehydrated husk, which will cause the kernels to shrivel. Basically, throw your corn in the fridge right when you get home from the store—there, it will stay good for about three days.

GMVozd/E+/GettyImages

The warm summer months are the perfect time to fire up the BBQ to grill corn on the cob for everyone to enjoy. Once ready to serve, you can sweeten the corn with sugar and lemon juice, serve it savory with parmesan cheese and garlic or just keep it simple the old-fashioned way by slathering it with butter. While corn may be a delicious eat, there has been some debate over whether it’s actually healthy or not. This stems mainly from the fact that corn isn’t exactly the easiest food to digest. Thankfully, there are some health benefits to corn; this yellow food is high in fiber and protein. Another truth about corn is that it has a relatively short shelf life. This makes it extremely important to know how to tell when corn has gone bad.

How Long Is Corn Good For?

When properly stored in the refrigerator, corn on the cob is good for three to five days. Whether you bought it in the husk or not, it should always be tightly wrapped in plastic or foil. If you fail to do so, even a little bit of air exposure can cause the corn to dry out. Once corn has been cooked, it lasts from three to five days in the fridge and from 10 to 12 months in the freezer. This can actually be extended to an indefinite length of time if the corn is stored in the freezer at zero degrees Fahrenheit.

If you notice browning on cooked corn kernels, don't panic; this happens when the corn has been stored at a too-high temperature. The ideal temperature to store corn is at 35 degrees F.

Does Corn on the Cob Expire?

Corn does expire, cooked or uncooked. There are a few signs – both in aroma and appearance – that will let you known when corn has gone bad.

Corn smell: If you notice an off-smell – one that is moldy or rancid – the corn is definitely spoiled and should be discarded right away.

Corn appearance: If you notice a slimy texture on the corn or mold, it is spoiled and should be tossed.

Freezing Corn on the Cob

The secret to freezing corn on the cob without compromising flavor lies in water blanching the corn. The process of water blanching involves scalding food in boiling hot water and, after a brief period, plunging it into a bath of cold water as a way to shock the food and stop the cooking process.

To do this with corn on the cob, water blanch it for four minutes and then allow it to cool for about 30 seconds. After this, plunge the corn into ice water for four minutes. Then cut the kernels off the cob into small portions and place in freezer bags in the freezer. Freezing corn on the cob in the husk is definitely possible. Simply place the corn in freezer-friendly bags and store in the freezer.

How to Reheat Corn on the Cob

When you have cooked corn on the cob for leftovers, reheating it is super simple and doesn’t compromise the crunch or flavor. Start by covering the corn on the cob in a damp paper towel and place it in a microwave-safe dish. To ensure that the corn doesn't turn into popcorn (yes, this can happen), heat the corn in 10- to 20-second bursts of time. Reheat until it’s warm enough that when you lather it in butter, the butter melts.

References

Writer Bio

Sarah is a multi-platform writer and editor. Her work has appeared in USA Today, Vital Proteins, Healthline, Diply, and more. When she's not writing, she's trying to keep up with her border collie, Emmy.