Market Fresh: Sweet Corn

The Flavour
There's no misnomer here: sweet corn has a sweet, summery taste. But plan to buy corn the day you want to eat it – a fresh cob loses 25% of its sugar within the day it's harvested.

Sweet Corn Goes Well With...
Chicken; steak; fish and shellfish; bell pepper; chili; tomato; thyme; basil; and of course butter, salt and pepper!

Buying & Storing Tips
It's best to buy sweet corn from a farmer's market during the summer months and early into autumn. You will know a healthy husk when you see it – the outside will be bright-green and the tassel slightly shiny. Steer clear of pre-husked corn as it is usually only done to old cobs. You can store fresh cobs up to three days in the fridge.

Preparing & Using Sweet Corn
What an easy addition to meals! Whole, husked cobs are ready in just five minutes when boiled, or seven minutes when nuked on high. Try grilling corn on the barbeque for five minutes without its husk for maximum barbeque flavour. For easy husking, cut tips off of each end and unravel husk in one quick move.
Chef's Tip: Add a teaspoon of sugar for each quart of water when boiling older corn to boost sweetness.

Nutritional Information
A great source of fibre, sweet corn is also full of beta carotene, folate, magnesium, zinc and vitamins A, B3, B5 and C.

• Trimming kernels from a hot cob can be a recipe for disaster. Prevent cutting yourself with the OXO Corn Stripper.

Find out what else is fresh in stores and farmers' markets now. Read the complete Market to Table collection now!