Corn

Where to buy it, how to use it, and more!

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Corn is a versatile, naturally-gluten-free grain that often gets mislabeled as a vegetable.

Is corn healthy?

Corn is a good source of fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, protein, and other beneficial nutrients.

The type of corn used to make cornmeal and corn grits contain much more nutrition than does sweet corn.

What about GMO corn?

Most of the corn grown in the U.S. has been genetically modified (GMO corn), and there is significant concern about the safety of consuming genetically-modified corn.

You can read more about the health risks of GMO corn in my article on How to Avoid GMO corn.

Where to buy non-GMO corn

Canned corn: Amazon or Azure Standard

Frozen corn: yellow, tri-color

Corn grits: Amazon

Polenta corn grits: Azure Standard (these are more finely and evenly ground than the regular grits)

Corn meal: Amazon or Azure Standard

Corn flour: Amazon or Azure Standard

White Corn Masa Harina: Amazon or Azure Standard

Yellow Corn Masa Harina: Azure Standard

White popcorn: Amazon or Azure Standard

Yellow popcorn: Amazon or Azure Standard

Multi-Colored popcorn: Azure Standard

Dry whole corn: yellow, white, blue

Note:
Bob’s Red Mill and Arrowhead Mills are both Non-GMO Project Verified.
Some of King Arthur’s products are also Non-GMO Project Verified

Different ways to buy corn

Corn can be purchased fresh (like corn on the cob or off the cob). The type of corn grown for fresh eating is called, “sweet corn”.

Corn can also be purchased in its dried form. Dried corn is often ground into grits or polenta. It may also be made into cornmeal or flour. The type of corn grown to be eaten in its dried form is usually called, “field corn” or “dent corn” or “flint corn”.

Popcorn is another type of corn. When popcorn kernels are heated, the moisture inside the corn kernel expands until the corn finally explodes, creating fluffy, white popped corn. Popcorn is usually yellow or white, but blue popcorn can also be purchased.

While not easy to find, corn also comes in a number of colors and flavors besides just yellow and white. Red corn, black corn, pink corn, purple corn, and speckled corn are just a few of the many colors that can be found growing in garden plots around the world. These beautiful varieties of corn generally contain more antioxidants and phytonutrients than the yellow corn typical in industrialized countries.

Here is a picture my son took of corn from Peru.