Indian corn, calico corn, or flint corn, is a variant of the common corn but it has a hard outer layer that protects the endosperm. This variety of corn is usually used as an ornament during thanksgiving because of its randomly colored kernels which makes them attractive as a table decoration. This is also the type of corn that is used to make popcorn.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Poales
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Zea
- Species: Z. mays
- Binomial name: Zea mays L.
- Variety: indurata
Indian Corn Trivia
- Indian corn is native to the United States and is one of the first crops that the Native Americans taught the colonists on how to cultivate.
- Indian corn (like most flint corn) has very low water content, making it spoil much longer than the other corn varieties.
- Indian Corn is the preferred type of corn to make hominy.
Indian Corn Buying Guide
Since Indian corn is primarily used for decoration, there isn’t much to say on how to buy them except to choose the pattern that you like the most.
Indian Corn Production & Farming in Texas
Indian corn is primarily grown by small growers across Texas to use as decoration. There is no large-scale farming of Indian corn and these are usually grown by small farms across the state.
Pesticides, Additives, and Chemicals:
Growing Indian Corn doesn’t require the use of any pesticides and chemicals to improve size or taste. Many heirloom varieties of Indian corn also have a level of pest resistance so they will be relatively chemical-residue free.
Packaging:
Indian corn is typically dried, lacquered, and sold as decorations so the packaging for these will depend entirely on the craft grower.
Enjoying Indian Corn
If you grow Indian Corn or find any food-grade Indian corn in farmers’ markets, they can be made into popcorn or ground into cornmeal and be used as such.
Storage:
Due to its very low water content, Indian Corn can last at room temperature for up to four months.
Cooking:
Indian corn isn’t typically eaten since there is cheaper, more common flint corn that will taste even better. But if Indian Corn will be consumed, they will typically be made into popcorn or ground up into cornmeal.
When Are Indian Corn in Season in Texas?
To find out when Indian Corn are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
