Types of Corn

Dent corn

Dent corn is softer than flint corn. It has a dent in each kernel. Most kernels are yellow or white. It is commonly grown in North America and often used as livestock feed. It is also used to make many processed foods.

Flint corn

Flint corn is very hard and gets its name from flint, a hard type of stone. The colors of flint corn range from white to red. (Flint corn is also known as Indian corn.) Flint corn is commonly used for industrial purposes and livestock feed. Today, flint corn is widely grown in Asia, Europe, and Central and South America.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a special type of flint corn with hard, small kernels. The natural moisture inside the kernels turns to steam when heated, but the outer coat of the kernel is so hard that the moisture is trapped. This causes the steam to build up pressure until the kernel explodes. The wild ancestor of corn is believed to have been a type of popcorn. Today, the United States is responsible for producing almost all of the world's popcorn.

Flour corn

Flour corn has a very soft starchy kernel. It is easily ground and is used in baked goods. Flour and Flint corn were the chief types of corn raised by Native Americans. Today, it is used mostly for food by the people who grow it. It is one of the oldest kinds of corn.

Sweet corn

Sweet corn has more natural sugar than other types of corn. Today, it is eaten on the cob or it is stored frozen or canned. Most Native American tribes didn't grow sweet corn because they didn't like the sweet taste.

Pod corn

Pod corn is thought to have been the first type of corn grown. Each kernel grows in its own husk, so it is difficult to use without incorporating a lot of labor. It is raised today for scientific research.