Corn And Its Use In Different Fields
Scientists believe people living in central Mexico developed corn at least 4000 years ago. It was started from a wild grass called Teosinte. Teosinte looked very different from our corn today. Corn is usually cosidered as a vegetable but it is actually a grain, rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Although the yellow corn/maize is very common around the world. Corn is also available in many others Colours such as red, purple, blue, white and even in black colour. Normally corn requires approximately 100 to 120 GDU (Growing degree units, 10,000 square meters) to emerge, which under favourable conditions can be 4 to 5 days after planting.
If cool or conditions exists, emergence may be delayed several weeks. Corn is rich in vitamin B12, folic acid and iron which help in the production of red blood cells in the body. It helps in reducing the risk of Anemia, by supplying enough of the nutrients required to produce fresh red blood cells. According to Nutritionists, 1 cup of raw corn contains 125 calories, 27g of carbohydrates, 4 gram of protiens, 9g of sugar, 2g of fats and 75mg of irons.
Corn as energy Enhancer: corn contains complex carbohydrates which gets digested at a slowler pace, which in turns provides energy for a longer duration of time. It not only provides physical energy but ensures proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. It can also be a healthy addition to your meals if you want to gain a few kilogram with corn, not only you get healthy calories, you can also get a host of vitamins and goods quality fibre.
One more thing, you can use corn to preserve healthy skin corn contains Vitamin ‘C’ and lycopene (antionidants) that increase the production collagen and prevent Uv generated free radicals from damaging the skin. Corn Oil can be directly applied on the skin and often used as ingrediant in many cosmetic products. It is used for roasting, baking, and deep fat frying. It has high content of unsaturated fatty acids which reduce blood cholestrol level. As we know health is the first priority for everyone. So we should eat only healthy foods for healthy life.
It is the saying of Roger Williams: “Health requires healthy food”. Its time to discuss our culture of corn. First of all we will discuss one of the delicious dish that is corn soup. It is the soup made up of corns, typically sweet corn. Initially popular in corn producing areas of the world, this dish is widespread because of greater corn distribution. Main ingredients are corn, water, butter and flour with salt and pepper for seasoning. It is commonly used in winter seasons.
Baby Corn is the small corn having very low calories. It is good for weight loss. It is one of the most imported vegetables across the world, yellow baby corn, has a decent amount of carotenoids. Carotenoids support eye health. We can form many dishes from baby corn such as baby corn pan fry, Chili Baby Corn, Crispy chili baby corn etc.
Corn is available in different styles. One of the most famous thing around the world are pop corns. Popcorns were hugely popular at fairs and carnival in the mid-1800s. Street vendors were able to make and sell this delicious, aromatic snack food. The first steam powered Popcorn maker was created in 1885. It is an ideal food for eating while watching a movie, cinema owners can make a large profit from it. Caramel popcorn is a delicious form of corn. These are soft crunchy, chewy and very easy to make. Homemade caramel corn can last just as long!
Radish boiled corn has its own Fan club. The Pathan and Pashtun community is directly related with this business. After boiling the corn, they put them in a warm sand. The leaves remain attached with it and also cover it completely. The hawkers mobilize it in specially designed three wheeler cart in the streets and roads to sale out their products. Corn is the best source of nutrition and also the best source to kill your hunger. When you order for it, the hawker put it out from the sand and shakes it to clear the sand. Then, he removes its leaves and put some lemon and spice on it before passing you. It is called Masala which is the mixture of different local spices.
Its price is very economical and low, one could get it at the price of Rs. 20 in Pakistan. It could be found everywhere in Pakistan at different prices. It is nice experience to watch its preparation. A bag full of lemons could be seen with the Masala which he puts on the corn to make it more delicious. It is popular in both high and low class citizens of Pakistan. Another words which are used in urdu are Sitta and challi. Whenever you hear the voice like Challi Rait Wala, do try it.
Roasted corn is also very famous. It is also called Bhutta. You can see the carts of bhutta everywhere specially in winter season. This business in very economical. The hawker can also make popcorns. The cart consists of a large pan filled with salt and sand. The cart boy puts the corn into the pan and after few minutes he put it back from the pan with the help of a large sieve to clear the sand and salt from it.
Corn flour is formed by grinding the corn seeds. The flour is used for many purposes. We can make Makai Roti from it which is very usually famous in villages. It is also used as a blinding agent for puddings and similar recipes. It is commonly used as a thickener of soups, sauces and other dishes. One can make a simple pudding with corn starch, milk and sugar.
Raw material of corn have also many beneficial uses. For example Corn Hair are used as a medicine. Corn silk is used for bladder infection, inflammation of urinary system, inflammation of the prostate, kidney stone, and bedwetting. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure, diabetes, high blood pressure, fatigue and high cholesterol levels.
Similarly, dried corn leaf is used to make herbal tea. It is also used to flavor beer. It is used to make cornmeal pan cake, dried corn pudding, dried corn pie, etc. It can also serve as a heating fuel. Corn syrup is a mildly sweet syrup derived from corn starch. Its main function in recipes is to provide sweetness and moisture, and to prevent the crystallization of sugar. It provides a smooth texture to cooked sweets such as candies, as well as no bake recipes, such as Ice-cream.
Corn Husks have also many uses. For more applications the corn husks need to be soaked in hot water in order to become pliable. Corn husks are commonly used to encase food to be steamed or baked, imparting a very light corn flavor. Corn husks can be used in the presentation of a dish, but not be edible and should be discarded after use.
Whole corn is relatively low in fat, though corn oil — a highly refined cooking oil — is sometimes processed from corn germ, a side product of corn milling. Corn contains phytic acid, which may reduce mineral absorption. Mycotoxin contamination may also be a concern in developing countries. As a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, corn may help maintain your eye health. What’s more, it doesn’t promote diverticular disease, as previously thought. On the contrary, it seems to be protective.
Corn is a good source of many vitamins and minerals. Popcorn tends to be higher in minerals, while sweet corn tends to be higher in vitamins. Popcorn is a type of corn that pops when heated. It’s a popular snack food that’s categorized as a whole-grain cereal. To maximize its benefits, make homemade popcorn without oils or additives. Corn is mainly composed of carbs and fairly high in fiber. It also packs a decent amount of low-quality protein.
In the end, I have to conclude that corn is a very useful thing. We can use it as a food as well as its residues are used as a fuel, and as a raw material in industries, as medicines and in many other ways.
