Corn, corn, beautiful corn! In this post we will cover 17 different types of corn and some tasty ways to use them!

Collage that says "types of corn".

Corn likely originated in Mexico about 10,000 years ago as a much smaller plant than it is today.  But early native Americans learned how to pick specific kernels to replant, so that the size of the plant and yield of the crops increased.

Today the United states grows over 13 billion bushels of corn a year. Over 5 billion are used as animal feed and over 5 billion to produce ethanol (mainly for gasoline). The rest is eaten here in the USA, exported, or used for other non-food purposes.

Before we look at different types of corn here is an optional corn trivia question. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the answer.

Corn Trivia!

Which State produces the most corn each year? Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, or Illinois? (find the answer at the bottom of this post!)

The Most Common Varieties Of Corn In The United States


These five corn varieties makeup about 99% of all corn consumed in the United States. We list them in order of most to least used.


FIELD CORN

Field corn in a field.

Field corn, also known as Dent Corn, is the most widely grown type of corn in the United States accounting for over 90% of production. It is named for the distinctive indentation or “dent” that forms on the top of each kernel as it dries. Dent corn is primarily used for animal feed and ethanol production, but it is also used in corn syrup, corn starch, corn chips, corn meal, and a variety of other edible and non-edible products. Field corn is harvested later than sweet corn. It remains in the field until the stalks and leaves turn brown in the fall. The entire plant is then harvested with a combine. The kernels are separated from the rest of the plant which is fed back onto the field as fertilizer.


SWEET CORN

Sweet corn on a white background.

Sweet corn production in the USA is a distant second to field corn. It is a type of corn that has a significantly higher sugar content than other types thus giving it a sweeter taste and more tender texture than other types of corn. It is the corn we know so well as corn on the cob, bought frozen or canned, and used in an endless variety of recipes. One of our top 5 most popular recipes here at Live Eat Learn is this Zucchini Corn Salad. It is easy to make and we guarantee that if you take a batch to your next cookout invite, you won’t return with leftovers.


POPCORN

Popcorn on a white background.

You may have thought that the corn you “pop” in the microwave or buy at the theater was the same corn you eat off the cob at cookouts, but it isn’t. Popcorn is a type of corn that has a hard outer shell and a small, starchy interior that “pops” when heated. America grows about $2.4 billion of popcorn a year with Nebraska being the leading producer.  Popcorn comes in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and red. Despite America’s love for buttered popcorn, it makes up only a tiny fraction of the corn grown and consumed in the United States, coming in at only ¼ the level of sweet corn.


  FLOUR CORN 

Flour corn on a white background.

Flour corn is a type of corn that has a soft, starchy interior and is primarily used for making corn flour and other baked goods. It is typically white or yellow and has a slightly sweet taste. Flour corn is grown in dry areas of the American Southwest and in arid regions of South America.


FLINT CORN

Flint corn on a white background.

Flint corn, also known as Indian corn, is a type of corn that has a hard outer layer and a colorful, multicolored interior. It is primarily used for decoration, but it can also be ground into cornmeal or used to make masa, a type of dough that is used to make tortillas, hominy, polenta, soups and other traditional foods.


Other Varieties Of Corn


Here are 12 other varieties of corn of interest listed in alphabetical order:


BABY CORN

Baby corn on a white background.

This is a small, immature ear of corn that is harvested when it is only a few inches long. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine, particularly stir fry.  Baby corn is usually eaten whole to include the cob which is quite soft when immature. Baby corn is not widely cultivated in the USA.


BLACK AZTEC CORN

Black aztec corn on a white background.

Black Aztec corn is a type of flour corn that is black or dark purple in color. It is native to Mexico, and is used to make a variety of traditional dishes, including tortillas, tamales, and pozole.


BLOODY BUTCHER CORN

Bloody butcher corn on a white background.

This is a red-colored corn that was commonly grown in America in the 1800s. It has a unique flavor and is still used to make cornmeal and flour.


BLUE CORN

Blue corn on a white background.

Blue corn is a type of corn that has a blue or purple color and is primarily grown in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is used to make a variety of food products, including tortillas, chips, and bread, and is known for its slightly nutty flavor.


FLORIANI RED FLINT CORN

Floriani red flint corn on a white background.

This type of corn is an heirloom variety that is known for its vibrant red color and nutty flavor. It is often used to make polenta and grits.


GLASS GEM CORN

Glass gem corn kernels piled up.

Glass Gem corn is a type of flint corn that is prized for its ornamental value more than its culinary possibilities. Each kernel has a different color and pattern, ranging from deep reds and blues to bright yellows and greens. Glass Gem is often used in decorative displays and is also edible, but is not commonly used as a food crop.

OAXACAN GREEN DENT CORN

Oaxacan Green Dent corn is a type of dent corn that is grown in Mexico and is known for its unique green color. It is used to make a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, including tamales, tortillas, and pozole.


PAINTED MOUNTAIN CORN

Painted mountain corn on a white background.

This corn is a high-altitude variety that is grown in the Rocky Mountains and was developed in Montana in the 1970s to be particularly cold resistant. Each cob displays a range of colors, including yellow, red, and orange and is used to make cornmeal, flour, and grits.


POD CORN

Pod Corn is a real oddity. Each kernel of corn is shrouded in a husk. This “type” of corn is really just a mutation that can occur in dent, flint, flour, sweet, waxy, or popcorn. It is not grown commercially and is just used ornamentally. We included this one just for interest. Nothing to see here folks.  Moving on.


PURPLE CORN

Two pieces of purple corn with the husks on.

Purple corn is native to Peru, and is known for its dark purple color. It is used to make a variety of dishes, including drinks, bread, and desserts.


STRAWBERRY POPCORN

Three pieces of strawberry corn on a white background.

Strawberry popcorn is a type of popcorn that has a reddish-pink color and is named for its resemblance to strawberries. It is primarily grown as a novelty crop and is often used in decorative displays or for making popcorn. It does not produce red popcorn. If you see “strawberry popcorn” for sale, it has generally been colored or been flavored with a strawberry mixture.


WAXY CORN

Two pieces of waxy corn on a white background.

Waxy corn is a type of corn that has a high level of amylopectin, a type of starch that makes it very sticky when cooked. While waxy corn is certainly edible, it is mostly used for making industrial products such as adhesives, textiles, and paper.


Frequently Asked Questions


What is the Difference Between Yellow and White Corn?


Well, just about nothing. They pretty much taste the same though some people incorrectly believe yellow corn is sweeter. The one difference is that yellow corn contains more beta-carotene (which gives it the yellow color). Your body synthesizes beta-carotene into vitamin A.


What is the Difference Between Sweet and Field Corn?


A Lot as we describe above. Sweet Corn is the variety we eat in so many recipes or right off the cob. Field Corn is used to feed livestock, make ethanol for use in our gasoline, and make products like corn syrup and cornstarch. Oh, and if you pluck an ear of field corn from a local farm and try to boil, microwave, or grill it, you will definitely discover that it is different from sweet corn.

Is Corn Keto Friendly?

No. According to the USDA a single ear of corn contains 32g of carbs. At your next cookout you better stick with the BBQ because corn will push you out of ketosis faster than a teenager running from the pool when Dad shows up in a Speedo.