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How to Properly Store and Freeze Corn: The Main Rules for Health

Place the corn in the refrigerator or cover it with ice as soon as possible. If you want to buy corn on the cob but don’t eat every cob before it goes bad, you need to know how best to store corn on the cob. Whether you bring a refrigerator or a freezer, the key to keeping this delicious vegetable fresh is to act quickly.

How to store corn on the cob

If you don’t eat your corn as soon as you bring it home from the store or the farmer’s market, it’s best to keep it cool.

When corn is not refrigerated, the enzymes in the kernels are more active and convert the sweet sugar into a soft starch. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, corn on the cob can lose a significant amount of sugar if left at room temperature.

Refrigerating corn on the cob

If your ears are left with the husks still attached, it is best to remove most of the husks but leave some on – enough to cover the entire cob. This will give you more space in the refrigerator to store the corn and also prevent the kernels from drying out.

If the ears of corn have already been peeled, you can wrap the ears in plastic or foil before storing them in the fridge – this will help retain some moisture. You can store the cobs in a plastic or paper bag, whether they are husked or not. A tightly closed bag can trap moisture in the corn, which can cause mold to form.

For maximum flavor and freshness, you don’t want to store fresh corn on the cob in the refrigerator for longer than three days. If you plan to eat the corn later in the week, it will taste better if you store it in the freezer (more on this below).

Freezing corn on the cob

Freezing corn on the cob can be a good option. Blanching is one method that helps to preserve the sweetness of summer corn, as this process stops the enzymes that cause corn to lose its texture and flavor.

Wrap the dry ears of corn in cling film and place them in a plastic freezer bag. Be sure to squeeze all the air out of the bag to prevent warming in the freezer. Close the bag and note the date. Fresh Corn keeps for up to one year.

Freezing corn kernels

If you want, you can also freeze corn kernels to save space in the freezer.

Tips for safe storage and how to tell if corn on the cob is harmful

Preserving flavor and freshness, as well as adhering to proper food safety regulations, is often equated with meat, poultry, and dairy products. But just as important is the process you use to prepare and store vegetables like corn.

The first thing you need to do is check the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer. According to the FDA, one of the best ways to prevent bacteria from getting into your food is to maintain the right temperature in your appliances. When it comes to the refrigerator, make sure the temperature is set at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. The freezer temperature should be zero degrees Fahrenheit.

If the Corn has been stored in the refrigerator for more than three days, the FDA advises being on the lookout for anything that looks or smells suspicious. Watch out for changes in the corn that may indicate it’s spoiled, for example:

  • Mucus
  • Mold
  • Brown or black dots
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Written by Emma Miller

I am a registered dietitian nutritionist and own a private nutrition practice, where I provide one-on-one nutritional counseling to patients. I specialize in chronic disease prevention/ management, vegan/ vegetarian nutrition, pre-natal/ postpartum nutrition, wellness coaching, medical nutrition therapy, and weight management.

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