Market

Canned Fruits: Corn

Sweet corn is a type of maize that is high in sugar and is considered a vegetable rather than a fruit. Grown throughout the northern parts of Thailand, sweet corn is the result of a natural-occurring recessive mutation in corn genes which control conversion of sugar to starch inside the endosperm of the corn kernel. Unlike field corn varieties that are harvested when the kernels are dry and mature (dent stage), sweet corn is picked while the corn is immature (milk stage) and is eaten as a vegetable, rather than a grain. Since the process of maturation involves converting sugar into starch, sweet corn stores poorly and must be eaten fresh, canned, or frozen before the kernel become tough and starchy. Sweet corn is very common within the Thai cuisine. The uses of the corn range from being eaten by itself to incorporated in salad, stir-fry’s, soups and even desserts. Because of its sweet and crunchy taste the combining sweet corn in to any cuisine is quite simple as it is appropriate for a variety of flavors and texture is a pleasant addition to many dishes.