Corn Shopper Etiquette: Down To Earth Markets

OSSINING, NY — The folks at Down To Earth Markets, the Ossining-based regional market management group, have put their finger on a serious summer problem. How do you pick the best ears of corn? And how do you prevent an easily preventable problem that could damage your own corn-eating experience as well as the chance for your friends and neighbors to enjoy their corn to the max?

Here are their tips:

Standing under a farmer's market tent looking for a few perfect ears of corn is a joyful summer ritual that a lot of us will find ourselves doing over the next few weeks. But we're just going to come out and say it: peeling the corn as you shop for it is not good market etiquette.

Leaving behind frayed ears of corn will cause consternation for your farmer and fellow shoppers and bringing home partially peeled ears of corn is likely to mean you'll be eating unnecessarily dried-out and starchy corn on the cob.

So what's the pro technique?

1) Check that the leaves of the husk are green, smooth, tightly wrapped around the cob and not pocked with any holes.
2) Check that the tassel is full and gold to brown in color. It's a good thing if it's slightly sticky to the touch, that's a sign of freshness, but it shouldn't be dry, black or slimy.
3) Gently running your fingers up the length of the cob will tell you if the kernels are full, even and plump.

Leaving the husk in place means your corn will arrive home fresh and clean - the husk is one of mother nature's perfect food packages, so don't mess with it!

PHOTO/ Down To Earth Markets