Yellow corn is a grain crop commonly eaten as a vegetable, grown commercially for human consumption and animal feed. It is also used in cooking and baking, and for the production of corn syrup, grain alcohol, corn oil, and biofuel.
The term “yellow corn” comes from the Spanish word maiz and is commonly referred to as yellow corn in English-speaking countries. Contrary to its miscategorization as a vegetable, it is a grain or cereal crop, although it is commonly eaten as a vegetable. Corn comes in many colors, including yellow, white, blue, red, black, green, purple, tricolor, and multicolor, depending on the variety. Yellow corn grows on stalks, commonly called corn stalks, with each stalk producing several ears of corn with hundreds of kernels. The grains are commonly eaten cooked, while the dried grains are used for animal feed or ground into flour for baking.
Yellow corn is grown commercially in large quantities and harvested fresh for human consumption. Fresh corn is sold whole with the silk and husks attached, as well as cut from the cob and frozen or canned kernels for use in recipes or as a vegetable side dish. The fresh, canned or frozen grains are then boiled or otherwise cooked before being eaten.
Many commercial growers also allow the beans to dry on the stalks before harvest. The whole or crushed dry grains are then sold as livestock feed. In dried form, yellow corn is also crushed or ground into various consistencies for commercial and domestic use in cooking and baking.
As a food source for humans, yellow corn has a high starch content and is, in fresh form, a source of fiber and vitamins A and C. In canned form, corn loses its vitamin A properties, as does some fiber content, but increases in vitamin C. When yellow corn is dried and coarsely ground, it is sold as grit. Corn grits are a fat-free food that contains iron, fiber, and protein. Grits are often used to make polenta, masa and porridge or added to baked goods for added texture.
Finely ground yellow corn is often referred to as cornmeal or cornmeal. This can be used to make pancakes, waffles, cornbread, muffins and other baked goods. Commercial grain producers often use ground corn in dry grain products. Yellow corn is a versatile crop with many other uses including the production of corn syrup, grain alcohol like bourbon, corn oil, and biofuel production. Many corn farmers hold mazes and mazes through their cornfields during the fall months and offer tours and other harvesting activities.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
