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Many Kinds of Corn

Did you know there are different kinds of corn grown for different purposes? There are three primary kinds of corn:

  • Sweet Corn: This is the kind of corn we eat. You may grow it in your own garden, or you may buy it at the grocery store or farmers market. There are many ways to eat it: Right off the cob, canned, or frozen.  
  • Field Corn: Did you know that 90% of corn grown in Minnesota is field corn? Field corn is also known as dent or feed corn. It is hard on the outside and starchy on the inside. It is most often used as food for animals, but it can be found in products you use every day.
  • Popcorn: This is a special type of corn that retains water within the kernel. When the kernel is heated, the water also heats and builds up pressure. This pressure causes the kernel to turn inside out, and then you have hot, fluffy popcorn.