TYPES OF CORN

Popping corn, also known as Zea Mays, is often mistaken for its similar look to Sweet Yellow Corn. Zea Mays can be identified by its darker shade of orange colour and its distinctive hard shell. In fact, depending on the region its grown, it also grows in shades of red and purple. The shell retains the right level of moisture in the kernels to facilitate popping when heated. This is how we create popcorn, Australia’s favourite movietime snack.

Sweet corn is what most people think of when you talk about corn. This is the corn you find in the freezer as well as the shelves of supermarkets. What makes it sweet is the timing of harvesting. Sweet corn is harvested earlier, which means the kernels have a lot more sugar content than starch.

Flour corn is on of the oldest varieties of corn. It has soft kernels that are made up of starch content which makes them very easy to grind and as such has been used in baked goods and lots of other goods we consume.

This type of corn is named after the dimple that forms in the middle of the corn’s kernel. It is the most popular corn grown in the USA and accounts for around 99% of corn grown. This type of corn is used as livestock feed as well as making corn syrup. It is also used in industrial products like ethanol for fuel, beverages and sanitizers.

As dent corn has a high starch content, it means it is the most efficient raw material and can be used in a number of environmentally friendly ways.

This type of corn is similar to dent corn. The majority of this type of corn is grown in Central and South America. This type of corn is used both as a feed as well as a food source in these geographic areas.

Also known as Indian corn, this type of corn is very colourful and ornamental than the other corns detailed here. Its distinctive colour and patterns are a result of its uniquely elongated kernels and large range of colourful patterns.