Canned Corn

Canned Corn: How it Travels From Crop to Plate

For many of us, corn is a staple part of our dinners. Whether it’s roasted, boiled, grilled, or as an ingredient in many other dishes, it’s an essential and versatile part of any kitchen. Now, when it comes to corn, many of us will likely think of canned corn first. Canned corn can sometimes be even tastier than fresh, and sometimes more convenient. But how does it get from the crop to our dinner plate? Let’s take a closer look at the process and see how the humble can of corn ends up at our tables.

The Growing Process

Corn, also known as maize, is one of the most widely cultivated grains in the world. It has been a staple food for many cultures for thousands of years, and is now grown in over 70 countries, making it one of the most popular grains globally. In the United States, corn is mostly used for animal feed. As far as edible corn, 80% is used by the food industry, with 15% of that used for canned corn.

The growing process is fairly simple. Corn seeds are planted in the spring, and then fertilized to help the plants grow. The fertilization depends on the variety, but a balanced fertilizer will work well with many of the more common types. The corn is then watered daily throughout the growing process. The corn is ready to be harvested when the stalks turn brown, usually around late summer to early fall.

Harvesting

Once the corn has matured, it needs to be harvested. This is usually done by hand or with machines, such as a combine or picker. Machines are used mostly for commercial harvesting, as they can do the job much faster. The corn is then sorted into different categories based on size, color, and ripeness.

The corn is then taken to a processing plant to be canned. The processing plant will usually use machines to inspect and remove any impurities, such as dirt, rocks, or fungi. The corn is then cleaned and sorted again, before it is blanched (heat treated) to preserve flavor and nutrients. This blanching also helps the corn stay firm and prevents it from becoming mushy during the canning process.

Canned Corn Process

Once the corn is ready, it is transferred to the canning line. This is where the corn is heated and placed in cans, along with special additives (such as salt, sugar, and preservatives) to help give it flavour and also preserve it. The cans are then sealed with lids and extensively tested for any leaks in a special pressurizing machine. Once they pass the test, they are ready to be shipped off to the supermarket.

The canned corn is then transported to a supermarket or convenience store, where the cans are stocked on the shelves, waiting to be purchased. Once a customer buys a can, the process is complete and the corn is officially on its way to the dinner plate.

Nutrition in Canned Corn

Canned corn is a great way to get the nutritional benefits of corn without the hassle of having to prepare and cook it. Canned corn is packed full of essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and potassium.

It also provides dietary fiber, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. And because it is canned, it has a longer shelf life than fresh corn, so you don’t have to worry about it going bad in a few days.

Conclusion

So as you can see, canned corn goes through quite the journey in order to make it to your dinner plate. From the growing and harvesting process, to the canning and shipping, to finally showing up at the store, canned corn has a long way to travel before it reaches the tables of hungry customers. But the effort is worth it, as canned corn is not only convenient, but also nutritionally sound. So next time you’re served a meal with some canned corn on the side, give a quick thought to all the work that went into getting that corn to your plate.