When the weather warms up and we start eating outside more than in, there’s nothing like biting into a crisp, fresh cob of sweet corn slathered in melted butter. Summer is the best season to enjoy fresh corn, as it reaches its peak from the months of July through October. Ontario produces most of Canada’s sweet corn crop, followed by Quebec and Alberta. You can enjoy corn in all sorts of ways: corn on the cob, tossed in a salad, baked into yummy cornbread, and more! As you scroll down, you’ll discover all about where corn comes from, how to enjoy it, and a few interesting facts about this beloved summer vegetable!
Where Is Corn Grown in Canada?
Sweet corn—the most popular corn among Canadians—is grown all across the country! One of the most widely planted vegetable crops, the majority of corn is grown in Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta. Heat is crucial when it comes to growing the tastiest corn, which is why kernels aren’t planted until late spring to avoid the winter frost. Corn tends to grow quickly (about three weeks), so farmers continue to plant throughout the summer to ensure corn for the duration of the season and into fall.
Corn that is meant for fresh consumption (i.e. not processed into other products) is picked the old-fashioned way: by hand! Other types of corn—the kinds that become ingredients, are frozen, or canned—is often picked by special harvesting machines.
How To Choose the Best Corn
A few tips to remember when selecting the best sweet corn:
- Buy corn only in season (July-October). This is when corn is freshest and tastiest.
- Look at the corn silk. Silk that is brown, black, matted, or dried out means that the corn is older. Pale, moist, and slightly sticky corn silk indicates fresher corn.
- The corn husk should be bright green and cling tightly to the cob. Avoid husks that are limp, bruised, or browned.
- Choose a corn cob that feels heavy for its size. The weight of the corn indicates the moisture within its kernels. A heavier cob means a juicier kernel, whereas a lighter one means the corn has begun to dry out.
- Don’t peel back the husk to check the kernels! This shortens your cob’s shelf life, causing it to dry out more quickly.
Storing Suggestion
If you’re planning to enjoy your corn within a few hours, you can keep it on the counter. If you’re not using it for a couple of days, keep this golden summer vegetable in the fridge! Place your cobs, with their husks intact, tightly wrapped in a plastic bag and in the crisper drawer of your fridge until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Types of Corn
- Flavour: Sweet and nutty with a crunchy texture.
- Appearance: Small (a few inches) and pale yellow.
- Best For: Stir-fries and salads.
- Flavour: Starchy and not sweet.
- Appearance: Dark yellow, with a dimple in each kernel.
- Best For: Tortilla chips, grits, and cornmeal.
- Flavour: Robust, earthy, with a slight gumminess.
- Appearance: Hard and shiny in colours like red, purple, and even blue!
- Best For: Popcorn, polenta, and home decor.
- Flavour: Slightly sweet and starchy.
- Appearance: Plump, pale yellow, or white.
- Best For: Corn flour.
- Flavour: Nutty and crunchy.
- Appearance: A hard outer shell with colours like white, yellow, and red.
- Best For: Popcorn, naturally!
- Flavour: Sweet, juicy, and tender.
- Appearance: Rounded kernels in white, yellow, or bicolour varieties.
- Best For: Corn on the cob, salads, baked goods, and more!
A-Maize-ing Corn Products
Made by our Chefs, this summery salsa is full of simple, fresh ingredients. Totally plant-based, try it on nachos, tacos, or simply scooped up with tortilla chips!
For a simple side that has a kick of heat and a lot of flavour, try our Jalapeño Cornbread! Made fresh in our Bakery, it’s prepared with real ingredients like corn, buttermilk, and pickled jalapeño peppers.
Made locally in small batches from organic Mexican blue corn, these authentic tortilla chips are low in sodium, gluten-free, and the perfect crispy snack with your favourite salsa or dip.
Recipes and Ideas!
Grilled Mexican Style Street Corn
Ingredients: fresh corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, fleur de sel, lime, cilantro.
One of the most famous street foods in Mexico, elotes are grilled or boiled corn slathered in mayonnaise and sour cream and topped with cotija, chili powder, and fresh lime juice. Ideal for a summer BBQ, this handheld treat is spicy, creamy, and tangy!
Chef’s Tip: Don’t have cotija on hand? Farm Boy™ Barrel Aged Feta works well in this recipe, too!
Sweet & Spicy Corn Fritters
Ingredients: eggs, fresh corn, green onions, jalapeño, cheese, milk, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, Greek yogurt, chimichurri.
Deliciously cheesy with a kick of spice, this fresh corn recipe is inspired by Southern flavours. Paired with a refreshing chimichurri yogurt dipping sauce, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next cookout!
Chef’s Tip: If desired, use Farm Boy™ 14% Sour Cream or Farm Boy™ Mayonnaise in place of the yogurt.
Cajun Chicken & Corn Skillet
Ingredients: chicken thighs, cornstarch, olive oil, Cajun spice, garlic flowers, fresh corn, coconut cream, salt, pepper, cilantro, rice, lime.
Simple to make, this chicken and corn skillet recipe is a delicious and satisfying option for lunch or dinner. We used chicken thighs for more flavour, but chicken breast works well, too!
Chef’s Tip: Swap out the coconut cream for whipping cream, if you’d prefer.
More Corn Recipes We’re Sweet On
5 Ways to Fancy Up Corn on the Cob This Summer
Sure, butter, salt, and pepper are tried-and-true when it comes to seasoning your fresh corn on the cob at your cookout or BBQ, but there are so many other flavours to try! Variety is the spice of life, after all! Enhance the naturally sweet, juicy, and fresh flavour of sweet corn with these five flavourful ways to jazz up your cob.
Chili + Lime
Ingredients: melted butter, lime juice, lime zest, chili powder, pepper, salt.
Add some zing to your corn on the cob with this blend that combines tart lime with spicy chili for a vibrant flavour.
Lemon Pepper Butter
Ingredients: softened butter, lemon pepper.
With only two ingredients, this tasty seasoning couldn’t be easier to prepare! Whip them together and serve with your steamed or grilled corn for a tart, peppery flavour.
Mixed Spices
Ingredients: cumin, coriander, salt, dried oregano, ground ginger, cinnamon, pepper, ground cloves, olive oil.
Mix the spices together and sprinkle over your corn cobs that have been brushed with olive oil. There’s no spiciness to this recipe, only delicious, warm flavours.
Buttery Horseradish
Ingredients: softened butter, shredded pepper jack cheese, horseradish, dried parsley, salt, balsamic vinegar, pepper, dried thyme.
Cheesy and spicy, spread this mixture over your cobs of corn before wrapping them tightly in aluminum foil and placing on the grill. The buttery mixture soaks in for maximum flavour.
Garlic Parmesan
Ingredients: softened butter, fresh garlic, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, fresh parsley, salt, pepper.
Roast your garlic in the oven with a drizzle of olive oil until tender and mushy. Squeeze out the garlic and mix with the butter, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. If you want extra cheese, offer more Parmesan on the side.
Did you know?
- The average ear of corn has 800 kernels.
- The tallest corn stalk in the world was more than 35 feet high!
- Corn was first domesticated in Mexico over 10,000 years ago.
- Corn is grown on every continent except Antarctica.
- It’s considered a vegetable, fruit, and a grain!
- Most processed foods contain some form of corn.
