 |
| Browse Plants Articles |
 |
| Bamboo Lichen Grass Bulb Perennial Climber Tree Annual/Perennial Biennial/Perennial Annual/Biennial Shrub Annual Climber Fern Corm Climber Perennial Annual Biennial |
| Power Search! |
| Browse Botanic Names |
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z |
| Sponsored By KhorWills |
| We would like to thank the team from Khor Wills & Associates for their support & assistance in ensuring this site is free for all.  Digital Forensic and IT Risk Experts |
Zea mays Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Edible Uses: Seed - raw or cooked. Corn is one of the most commonly grown foods in the world. The seed can be eaten raw or cooked before it is fully ripe[1, 2, 33, 34] and there are varieties especially developed for this purpose (the sweetcorns) that have very sweet seeds and are delicious[183, K]. The mature seed can be dried and used whole or ground into a flour. It has a very mild flavour and is used especially as a thickening agent in foods such as custards[183]. The starch is often extracted from the grain and used in making confectionery, noodles etc[183]. The dried seed of certain varieties can be heated in an oven when they burst to make 'Popcorn'[183]. The seed can also be sprouted and used in making uncooked breads and cereals[183]. A nutritional analysis is available[218]. The fresh succulent 'silks' (the flowering parts of the cob) can also be eaten[55, 183]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed, it is an all-purpose culinary oil that is frequently used as a food in salads and for cooking purposes[13, 46, 183, 238]. The pollen is used as an ingredient of soups[183]. Rich in protein, it is harvested by tapping the flowering heads over a flat surface such as a bowl. Harvesting the pollen will actually help to improve fertilisation of the seeds[K]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[183]. The pith of the stem is chewed like sugar cane and is sometimes made into a syrup[183]. For further Zea mays gardening information |
