Michigan sweet corn is here!

I've been hearing reports from people that the Michigan sweet corn crop is just starting. The weather has certainly held up the crop a bit this year and it looks like it might be rather staggered as well. In other words, if you see some for sale on the side of the road and think you'll just stop by later - you'll probably be out of luck. I've been told, "if you see it, buy it because odds are it will be sold out later." Remember, for best results cook your sweet corn the day you buy it. After being picked, the sugars in sweet corn break down into starches and greatly affect the flavor/quality of the sweet corn. If you can't cook it right away - put it in the refrigerator to at least slow down this process.

Michigan sweet corn crop is looking mighty tasty

Michigan has been blessed with just the right amount of rain for most areas where sweet corn is being grown. It looks to be a much better crop than last year's which saw too much dry weather in most of Michigan to produce a good crop. I've had a meal of Michigan sweet corn and have been anticipating more, but we got that corn from the other side of the state. The sweet corn here in Southwest Michigan looks like it is just now ripening up. I can't wait.

Of course, everything is costing more this year than last so look for retail prices on sweet corn to be around $4 per dozen. Shop local at roadside stands and farmers markets to keep money in your community and state. We get our sweet corn at Hubbard's Corey Lake Orchard (out near Corey Lake of course) or Brad's Strawberry Farm in Constantine.

Quick Tip Ask the vendor if the corn was picked the day you are buying it. If it is (and is should be for best flavor and texture) then make sure you husk it and cook it that same day. The sweet corn loses it's sugar (the sugar breaks down) over time which also means it loses its flavor.

Read an article on Michigan Sweet Corn at the Detroit Free Press

Michigan Sweet Corn Tips and Facts

From the Michigan Dept. of Agriculture website.

Selection and Care:

"When buying corn, choose ears with medium-sized kernels. Very small kernels are immature, and large kernels have a starchy taste, rather than a sweet one. The husk of the corn should be moist and green. Leaving husks on when storing corn preserves the flavor.

At room temperature the glucose in corn will convert to starch in as little as 24 hours. Therefore, refrigeration of this vegetable is critical for maintaining freshness."

Michigan Sweet Corn Facts:

• Michigan produced over 10,000 acres of sweet-corn in the year 2000 for fresh consumption alone
• One ear of corn averages 800 kernels in 16 rows. A pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels
• An acre of corn yielding 100 bushels has about 7,280,000 kernels
• Sweet corn is rich in vitamin C, iron, thiamine and riboflavin, not to mention fiber

Michigan Sweet Corn is Here!

Thanks to my father-in-law, we had the opportunity on feasting on some fresh Michigan sweet corn the other night. I was surprised that there was Michigan sweet corn ready so soon. The best part? The sweet corn did not disappoint - it was delicious. We only lamented the fact that we didn't have any homemade pickles, fresh tomato slices, and fried potatoes to go with the sweet corn. That is one of my favorite summer feasts.

Our tomatoes are not quite ready yet, but I do have some homemade pickles brewing in the fridge. I can also dig up some of our Red Norland potatoes for our next meal of Michigan sweet corn. We planted them on April 17 and already have harvested a large quantity. I have never tried to grow potatoes before, but it has been a lot of fun.

I felt like I was on a treasure hunt as I dug up shovel-fulls of black earth and sifted through to find the ruby-red potatoes. Just when I thought I had dug up all of the potatoes that one hill had to offer I would dig just a bit further and find some more.

This week we will be ready for any Michigan sweet corn that might come our way. Of course, our tomatoes are still a couple weeks away from being ripe, but we will have plenty of homemade pickles and potatoes.

Don't you just love the many flavors of a Michigan summer?

To find Michigan sweet corn in your area go to the Michigan U-Pick and Farm Market database.