How To Eat Raw Sweet Corn
Unlock the full potential of raw sweet corn with our comprehensive guide on how to incorporate this delicious and nutritious gem into your diet. Discover innovative ways to enjoy the natural sweetness and crunch of fresh corn kernels while maintaining their raw, nutrient-rich goodness.
In this insightful post, we’ll share practical tips on selecting the best raw sweet corn, from choosing the freshest ears to identifying peak ripeness. Learn step-by-step techniques for safely removing corn kernels from the cob, opening up a world of possibilities for salads, salsas, and creative raw dishes.
Delve into mouthwatering raw sweet corn recipes that showcase its versatility, from refreshing salads to vibrant side dishes. We’ll also explore the nutritional benefits of consuming corn in its raw form, highlighting the abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to a well-rounded, health-conscious diet.
Whether you’re a seasoned raw food enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of raw cuisine, our guide provides valuable insights, ensuring you savour the crisp, natural flavours of raw sweet corn in every bite. Elevate your culinary experience and embrace the goodness of this summer favourite with our expert tips on How To Eat Raw Sweet Corn. Your taste buds and your body will thank you!
Different Sweet Corn Varieties
There are several different sweet corn sub varieties. My favorite sub variety, which is also extremely tasty in its raw state when the corn is fully ripe and fresh, is a sub variety that I believe is called Sweet Nugget F1.
Cobs of this sweet corn sub variety are typically between 17 and 22 cm, that is 6.7 and 8.6 in, long, and the average cob diameter is about 4.5 cm / 1.8 in.
The kernels are large, rectangular in shape, just slightly rounded, some are even flat, dark yellow, almost orange in color.
The kernels have a soft, NOT a crunchy texture.
A sweet, pleasant taste is present when the corn cob is fully ripe, which can be recognised by the fact that the kernels are full of corn milk – press a kernel and then a whitish corn liquid will ooze out of it.
The sowing time of this variety of sweet corn is between mid-April and the beginning of June, and the harvest time is the first half of September.
Corn Ripening Process
What is interesting about corn in general is that the ripening process is the opposite of the fruit ripening process.
Fruits first contain starch, and during ripening this starch in fruit becomes simple sugars. The fruit is ripe when all the starch in the fruit has been converted to simple sugars. This is how you recognise a fully ripe fruit – when it is soft to touch, sweet and easy to digest.
With corn, we have the opposite process. Ripe, young corn on the cob contains simple sugars. After picking, it is best to use the corn immediately or at least within the first few hours, because after picking those simple sugars start turning into starch. Within the first 24 hours or so, after picking, corn becomes primarily a starchy food. When corn is starchy, it has hard kernels that are difficult to digest in their raw state, and that is when they must be cooked.
Image by: Katherine Volkovski @ Unsplash
Why Would You be Freezing Corn
With the simple process of freezing corn, we can stop the process of turning sugar into starch, as well as soften the corn kernels.
When freezing a food, the water inside the cells of the given food turns into ice crystals that occupy a larger volume of space than liquid water. Because of this phenomenon, the cell membranes of these foods burst open. When that same food is thawed, the ice crystals melt, automatically taking up a smaller volume of space than in their frozen state. This way, suddenly there is more space between the now cracked food cell walls and the internal fluid of the cells. And this whole process gives the food a soft texture.
Store-Bought Frozen Corn is always Blanched
It is important to note that by law all commercially frozen vegetables, including corn and peas, but excluding bell-peppers must be blanched before they are frozen. Commercially frozen fruit on the other hand, is not blanched before being frozen.
Therefore, store bought frozen corn is NOT raw food, but blanched. Blanching is the process of exposing food to boiling salt water for just a few minutes in order to deactivate the enzymes in the food that lead to oxidation of the food, and to destroy the microorganisms in the food in order to prevent potential food spoilage, i.e. to extend the shelf life of the food.
Image by: Cats Coming @ Pexel
Before I share with you the process on how to soften the raw corn without cooking, let us see why would anyone be even interested in eating a raw vegan diet.
What Are the Health Benefits of a Raw Vegan Diet?
A raw vegan diet offers a myriad of health benefits, making it a popular choice for those seeking a wholesome lifestyle. Here are key advantages:
- Nutrient-Rich Goodness
Consuming a variety of raw, plant-based foods ensures a rich intake of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients promote overall well-being, support immune function, and contribute to radiant skin and hair. - Enhanced Digestive Health
The abundance of fibre in raw vegan foods aids digestion and promotes a healthy gut. Improved digestion can alleviate issues such as bloating and constipation, fostering a more comfortable and efficient digestive system. - Natural Energy Boost
Raw vegan diets are known to provide a sustained energy boost. The natural sugars in fruits and the complex carbohydrates in vegetables offer a steady release of energy, reducing reliance on processed foods and artificial stimulants. - Weight Management
Many individuals turn to raw veganism as an effective way to manage weight. The emphasis on nutrient-dense, low-calorie foods helps maintain a healthy weight, while the abundance of fiber contributes to a feeling of fullness. - Disease Prevention
The high intake of fruits and vegetables has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. The powerful antioxidants found in these foods contribute to cellular health and may offer protection against oxidative stress. - Environmental Impact
Adopting a raw vegan diet aligns with eco-conscious living. By reducing reliance on animal products, individuals contribute to lower carbon footprints and sustainable food practices, supporting a healthier planet.
Remember, before making significant dietary changes, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to ensure your nutritional needs are met.
Embracing a raw vegan lifestyle can be transformative, providing a path to holistic well-being and a more mindful approach to nutrition.
#RawVeganBenefits #PlantBasedLiving #HealthyLifestyle
What are the health benefits of eating raw sweet corn?
Eating raw sweet corn can offer several health benefits due to its nutritional content. Here are some potential health benefits associated with consuming raw sweet corn:
- Rich in Nutrients
Sweet corn is a good source of essential nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. It provides vitamins such as folate, thiamine (B1), and vitamin C, as well as minerals like magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P).
- Antioxidant Properties
Sweet corn contains antioxidants, including carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin. These compounds have been associated with promoting eye health by protecting against age-related macular degeneration.
- Heart Health
The fibre content in sweet corn can help lower cholesterol levels and support heart health. Additionally, the presence of folate is beneficial for reducing homocysteine levels, which are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.
- Digestive Health
The dietary fibre in sweet corn promotes healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. Adequate fibre intake is essential for preventing constipation and maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal system.
- Weight Management
Sweet corn is a low-calorie and fibre-rich food, making it a good choice for those looking to manage their weight. The fibre content contributes to a feeling of fullness, potentially reducing overall calorie intake.
- Energy Boost
The carbohydrates in sweet corn provide a quick and easily digestible source of fuel that our bodies turn in energy. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals engaged in physical activities or those needing a quick energy boost.
- Supports Skin Health
The combination of beta-carotene (precursor of vitamins A) and vitamin C in sweet corn is beneficial for skin health. These vitamins contribute to collagen formation, helping to maintain the skin’s elasticity and protect against oxidative damage.
- Hydration
Sweet corn has a high water content, contributing to hydration. Staying well-hydrated is important for overall health and supports various bodily functions.
- Blood Sugar Regulation
The fibre content in sweet corn, combined with its low fat content, helps bloof sugar regulation.
Preparing Raw Corn
1) Removing the leaves
- Remove the leaves from ripe and young corn cobs.
- You will need the following equipment:
- A pair hygienic gloves
- A Mason jar
- Freezer bags
2) Saving the corn silk
- When removing the leaves from the corn, save the so-called corn silk, from which you can make a very tasty tea.
- Place the corn silk in a clean and completely dry mason jar. Keep the jar in your kitchen cupboard and use the corn silk whenever you want to enjoy some soothing herbal tea.
Corn silk tea is one of my favorite herbal teas! It has a crystal clear, almost transparent color, accompanied by a pleasant, soothing smell and taste.
Studies show that the consumption of this tea alleviates symptoms of hyperglycaemia, depression and exhaustion.
Also, you can use this tea to massage your scalp in order to stimulate hair growth.
3) Freeze the corn cobs
- After you have properly cleaned the corn cobs, put them in freezer bags, and thus in the freezer.
- Leave the corn cobs in the freezer for about 24 hours, so to have them well frozen.
- About 8 hours before you would like to use the corn in a meal, take a couple of corn cobs out of the freezer and out of the freezer bag. Put them on a plate, and then put them in the fridge first.
Frozen food should first be thawed in the refrigerator for the first hour or two, and only then it can be further defrosted at room temperature.
This method of defrosting food prevents the potential growth of bacteria on food that can occur when frozen food is immediately exposed to the room temperature.
3) Warm up the corn cobs
- When the corn is thawed, you can warm it a bit in the dehydrator.
- And once the corn is completely thawed… just see how soft the kernels are now? Well, this way it has the perfect texture and is really tasty! It’s so delicious that… (WATCH THE VIDEO) I can already see how my orthodontist – Miljana Candir from Novi Sad – is getting a panic attack while watching this scene and I can hear her screaming all the way up to here:
Don’t bite into that corn, you’ll break your braces!
Okay… I won’t bite into the corn…
The point of the story: if you have braces, don’t bite into the corn.
What Are the Health Benefits of Preparing food in a Dehydrator vs. Oven?
A dehydrator is simply put an oven on a raw food diet. I like to call the dehydrator a 21st century oven.
Personally, I have no oven, stove or any kind of kitchen appliance for cooking food, since I chose to eat a raw food diet. In my stoveless kitchen, my trusty dehydrator takes on the main role to warm food while preserving its nutrients and freshness. All the methods I use to prepare raw, yet warm food are described in my e-book Raw, yet Warm.
Now, let we explore all the health-benefits of preparing food in a dehydrator vs. traditional oven:
- Preservation of Nutrients
Dehydrators operate at lower temperatures, preserving more nutrients in fruits, vegetables, and herbs compared to ovens.
Thus, by eating just warmed, yet still raw food, you get the full nutritional profile of the foods you eat which of course boosts your health level.
- Energy Efficiency
Dehydrators are designed for prolonged use, consuming less energy than ovens, making them cost-effective in the long run.
Saving money on daily activities such as food prep, goes a long way making your bank account happy.
- Even Drying
Dehydrators ensure uniform drying, preventing overcooking or unevenness commonly associated with ovens.
Unlike with oven, you get to make dry ingredients or just warm raw foods effortlessly with the use a dehydrator.
- Versatility
Dehydrators offer flexibility for various foods, accommodating intricate drying needs better than ovens.
With dehydrators, it is super easy to set the exact dehydrating temperature and time for various ingredients and purposes.
Elevate your culinary experience with a dehydrator – a health-conscious and efficient choice.
#DehydratorVsOven #NutrientPreservation #HealthyCooking
4) Take the kernels off the corn cob
- Instead, take the kernels off the cob and top your favorite salad, or in my case, zucchini pasta with them. And now I’m going to warm this yumminess in a new age oven – a dehydrator.
And here it is: a beautiful and delicious, raw, yet warm dinner.
Raw, yet Warm – oh, where have I heard that before? Oh, that’s right! That’s the name of my recipe book, in which you get 40 delicious and healthy, raw recipes slightly warmed in a dehydrator.
Mmmmmm… yummy!
And you can even use the softened corn kernels to make a delicious dressing for your salad or zucchini or cucumber zoodles.
To make the dressing, simply blend the kernels in a blender and add some spices if desired.
And now we gonna pour this yummy sauce over the zucchini or cucumber noodles, mix it all up… Mmmm yummy!
Thank you for visiting my site, watching the video and reading this blog post. I sincerely hope that you have learned something nice and useful about corn, which you will be happy to apply in your life and diet.
Please let me know in the comments down below, have you ever eaten a raw corn and if yes, do you like it.
Keep glowing,
Marina
Marina from Health Glows
As a certified raw vegan diet and healthy lifestyle coach, Marina helps her clients and followers to transition to a raw vegan diet in a proven and sustainable way, along with incorporating an exercise program for staying fit long term, in order to get rid of health problems and build a high level of health.