Here's a conundrum: You're shopping for a dinner party and need to bring home a whole armload of corn. Maybe you're making or for a crowd; the main thing is that you need this produce to be as sweet and fresh as possible. Of course, there's an old-fashioned way to ensure this: Just pull back that husk and take a gander at those juicy kernels.
But, unfortunately, groceries and farmers markets are getting hip to your tricks, and more and more frequently, you'll see signs warning you against checking under the husk. What, then, is the discerning corn buyer to do? The good news is that you don't actually have to peek under the hood to gauge corn's freshness, anyway — there are plenty of other cues to look for. Chief among them? The corn silk spilling out of the top of the cob, which should give you a good idea of the corn's quality.
If the silk is pale green, white, and/or golden — in other words, if it looks fresh — that means the corn is fresh, too. If it's black, matted, and/or slimy, that's an indication of corn that's been sitting around for a while and should be avoided. Here's what else you need to know about buying the freshest corn possible.
Other tips for selecting corn at its freshest Corn's silk is a pretty reliable indication of its freshness, but there are a few other factors to be aware of, too. First, look for husks that are green rather than yellow or brown, as these also indicate that the corn is past its prime. The exception to this color rule is the bott.
