Sweet corn quality preservation

[Anonymous-0]

Any good advice on sweetcorn, this heat is giving me more prime sweetcorn at one time than I can handle. I made some quick contacts to see if I can expand my market, but I still have a lot. I pick it only in the early am, ptior to 7 am, then soak it all down with well water ( bout 50 degree water, then keep it in a chilled 62 deg room. How long can a guy keep it at this or cooler temps and have it stay "delectable". How fast will it starch up if it is not picked and left on the stalk, compared to picking and chilling? Cobs are huge, coons are running from the fence, the stuff is awesome quality, I just want to make sure I deliver great quality to these new outlets for future contracts. Any advise you wise group you.

 

[esd19]

are you having trouble picking it or getting rid of it? if its the picking contact your local school or church youth group and see if they are having fundraisers. If not they might help you pick it so you can get more to the local distribution points. I know in sw kansas the footbal team was more than happy to help pick and the high school age church youth group also pitched in and it only cost a hamburger feed. the kids enjoyed it and it was well worth the entertainment

 

[Anonymous-0]

Picking it is not a problem. Managing the excess product is what is being a problem. I have more available than I have demand. Darned hot weather gave me 2 plantings maturing at the same time. So I am wondering what is the best way to preserve the quality of the corn for the longest time with out having a bad product. Cause the demand is there, just a bit strectched out right now.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I think I would try to keep it at 35-40 deg. Will keep longer in the shucks than out. I kept 5 or 6 dozen in a cooler packed in ice for over a week and it was still good. It is best cooked within 30 min of picking to keep sugar from turning to starch, but don't know how you would keep it without freezing.

.Dave

 

[Anonymous-0]

I'm not real sure what to do.We always soaked it down too.Can get 2 days out of it that way.I kind of hope you get some good answers because we're going to be in the same boat in about 2 weeks.Been raining all around us (NW PA),but not here.Corn started curling today ,no rain in forecast all week.Insurance adjuster looked at it today and didn't sound to hopeful.Good luck to you.

 

[Anonymous-0]

In spite of all the claims of corn keeping it sweetness after picking,I find it has to be cooked right after picking.Offer a lower price and give extra ears to buyers.Get the phone # of regular customers and call them when you are picking.Make sure your customers know it has to be cooked right after picking for best eating.Most corn is over cooked.Growing corn is easy,selling it is the hard part.

 

[Anonymous-0]

What type is it? The supersweet types keeps much much better after picking than regular sweet corn. Cooling it off fast and keeping it cool is all I know to do to help keep it.
Pete

 

[rustyfarmall]

We keep our excess in a refrigerator. Leave the husks on it, and it will keep for about two weeks. The quality does start to decline after about three days and after the two week period, it is best to work that corn up and either freeze it or can it. Of course we don't raise nearly as much as you, so what works for us probably will not work as readily for you, but if a person could store it about 40 degrees submerged in water, I think you could still sell it as fresh.