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Storing corn on the cob is the only way to preserve all the beneficial qualities of this amazing plant. There are many different methods for properly storing corn cobs for the winter. All conditions for this process must be met. This is the only way to ensure that the shelf life of corn grain is long.
Choosing corn for storage
The benefits of this plant are described in many sources. Thus, it is known that it helps to normalize the functioning of almost all systems of the human body. It should also be used to prevent colds and infectious diseases in the autumn-spring period of the year. This product is also necessary for the treatment of various chronic diseases.
Before we talk about drying corn, you need to understand the rules of harvesting and proper preparation of this plant.
Although the birthplace of corn is America, this plant has spread throughout the world since the middle of the last century.In the Russian Federation, the product is grown in the south and in greenhouses in Siberia.
Harvest Basics
Many gardeners harvest corn on the cob at the end of August to dry it. This is necessary to ensure subsequent care: stabilization of temperature and humidity for storing corn grain. Collection should be done after morning dew in sunny weather.
Shopping Basics
Stores usually sell 2 varieties of corn:
- Stern. The fruits of this plant are large. The grains of this corn have a rigid structure and are bright yellow to orange in color. Most often it is used as livestock feed. However, this variety is not contraindicated for humans.
- Food. The size of this product is quite small, but the grains are large, soft and sweet. Color varies from milky to light yellow.
When choosing corn, you need to focus not only on the appearance of the product itself, but also on its smell and elasticity:
- To make it easier to dry corn cobs, they should be young and fresh. The main condition is that these fruits must be in “clothes”. The leaves should be bright green in color, and the tendrils should be sufficiently moist.
- To dry corn cobs well, the kernels must fit tightly together, have the same yellow hue, and be juicy and firm.
- The grains should be soft at the base and release juice when pressed.
The drier and tougher the seed of this plant, the worse it will retain its nutritional properties.
What to look for when buying corn
The buyer's special attention should be drawn to various spots on the grains of the cob:
- Transparent swelling indicates the presence of the disease “bubble smut”.
- A white coating with pink spores indicates that the product has “fusarium.”
- Depressed spots are pale gray in color, and after rotting - yellow and brown in color, indicate the presence of “bacteriosis” in the plant.
- Mold fungi cause poisoning in humans, and in severe cases, death; they are easy to find: yellow-greenish spots will be visible on the cobs.
Also, do not take a plant that is partially eaten away by insects or birds. In this case, there is a high risk of various infections that are transmitted from birds and insects.
The sharp chemical and synthetic smell from the plant should alert you. Corn is not suitable for consumption.
Preparing corn for storage
Particular attention should be paid to preparatory work with this plant.
Harvesting
Harvesting begins when the product reaches milky ripeness. The selection of cobs is made based on the presence of the following factors:
- dryness of the outer layer of the cob;
- change in color of the cob;
- the softness of the grains and their light juice;
- dry threads on the sides of the fruit.
The main criterion for collection is not the appearance of the component, but the moisture content of the product.
Preparation
Further processing of the crop takes place in several stages:
- Cleaning. First, you should remove debris from grains, spoiled, crumpled fruits, as well as rotten cobs.
- Drying. Using various methods, you need to thoroughly dry the product.
- Prepare places for storing harvested crops for the winter.
Moreover, this algorithm is used for both food and feed corn.
How long can you store fresh corn in the refrigerator?
Fresh corn does not last long at room temperature, a maximum of 3 days.But in the refrigerator the shelf life of this product increases. Moreover, in the refrigerator itself, corn (both on the cob and in the grain) can remain, maintaining its beneficial qualities, for 3 months. In the freezer, the shelf life increases to 1.5 years. True, you should first hold it first in boiling water, then in cold water and repeat the procedure 2 times.
How to Preserve Fresh Corn for the Winter
There are two main ways to prepare this component for the winter: freezing and canning. The only difference is in the harvesting technology. The shelf life in this case varies from 6 months to 1.5 years.
Before freezing, the component should be immersed in boiling water for several hours, and then in cold water. You can use salt and lemon juice. Then dry the product thoroughly and pack it in hermetically sealed containers.
Preservation requires heat treatment of either the plant itself or containers for it. In addition, in this case, you can add other components to the workpiece.
How to store boiled corn
Heat treatment increases the shelf life of the plant. However, it requires special conditions of detention. There are various storage methods, among which there are 3 basic areas:
- On the cob in the refrigerator. Here you can place either the pan itself with the boiled plant, or individual corn cobs, carefully wrapped in cling film. In this case, the shelf life will be 2-3 days, no more.
- The beans are in the refrigerator. The grains must first be dissolved in water and filled with sterilized jars with this solution. You need to place the containers in the lower compartment. The shelf life will be 2-3 months.
- In the freezer. After cooking, the product should be allowed to cool and dry.Then portions of the cobs need to be wrapped in cling film and put in the freezer. The shelf life of such a product is approximately 1 -1.5 years.
How to dry corn
There are many different methods for drying this unique plant. However, there are not many popular methods.
In the basement or cellar
The technology is quite simple:
- Prepare the cobs of the plant.
- Tie into braids without tearing off the leaves.
- Hang it in the basement or cellar.
The main condition is good ventilation of the room. Readiness is checked by shaking: if the grain flows well during this process, then the product is completely dried and can be used further.
In the oven
The harvesting technology is even simpler compared to the previous version:
- Rinse the plant thoroughly and dry on a paper towel.
- Place the grains on a baking sheet lined with parchment in a thin layer.
- Place in an oven preheated to 100 degrees for half an hour.
Then dry at room temperature until completely cooked.
In the dryer
This method is similar to the previous method. The grains must be prepared in the same way. Then spread evenly on the surface of the dryer. Turn on the temperature to approximately 40-60 degrees and leave for 10-12 hours.
Before using an electrical device, you must carefully read the user instructions.
Storing sour corn for fishing
As a rule, this sour plant is used when fishing for carp, crucian carp and other various fish.
The preparation of such a nutritious product is quite simple: it is salted, fermented for several days at room temperature (about 7 days), and then placed in the refrigerator.
Storage conditions are the same: sealed packaging without access to air, maintaining humidity and temperature conditions. The shelf life is up to 1 month.
Common mistakes when storing corn
The main reasons for the decrease in the shelf life of corn are:
- Incorrect preparation of the product: lack of preparatory work and the necessary technology for preparing the plant.
- Failure to comply with important parameters: humidity above 15% and temperature above 4 degrees Celsius.
- Packaging leaks. Air access enhances the rotting process of the product.
To avoid damage to the plant, you should avoid the mistakes described above.
Conclusion
Storing corn on the cob is not that difficult. It is enough to know the basic rules for choosing and preparing a plant and taking into account the optimal conditions and features of its maintenance.
