Ingredient Name: Corn or Maize
Traditional Chinese Name: 玉米 (yù mǐ)
What is this?
- Corn is the produce (ears) of a maize plant which resemble bamboo canes
- There are varying types, species and preservation of corn in different cultures and traditions around the world
- The maize is harvested when the maize is mature, but the kernals are still soft
- It can be eaten raw or cooked
- It is a major source of starch and a major ingredient in many industrialized food products
How do I prepare it?
- If the corn still has its outer layers attached, remove the outer layer by ripping the ear at the top
- Wash the corn in cool running water
- Some people prefer to cut the corn into sections when used in soups
Where can I buy this?
- Corn is available in any supermarket
What is the cost?
- Corn is relatively cheap and costs around $1.00 – $2.00 CAD per cob
Any substitutes?
- You can consider using canned whole corn kernals as a substitute, though it may not turn out as sweet
Any benefits?
- Corn contains healthy amounts of Thiamin (Vitamin B1), Niacin (Vitamin B3), Folate (Vitamin B9), Vitamin C and Magnesium
- It is low in fat but high in dietary fibers
Any precautions?
- Some people think that since it is a vegetable, it is a relatively complete substitute for many foods – however, corn has a lot of starch and should be eaten in conjunction with other vegetables and legumes
Additional Information?
- Corn stores relatively well in any weather and can be kept in the fridge for up to 1 month
- Even if the corn is slightly dry looking, it can still be used in soups – just be sure it hasn’t gone bad
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