How Long Does Corn On The Cob Last?

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Corn is famous worldwide as it gives an exceptional taste to many dishes like soups, Chinese, pizzas etc. Some people prefer to eat raw corns that are just slightly cooked and soaked in honey or water and stuff like that. You can get the best methods to soak corn on our website.

If you are a corn lover, you must have corns in excess at your house. The question of the shelf life of corn on the cob may arise in your mind. This article will explain the answers to the most frequently asked question about corn on the cob. Read on.

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How Long Can Corn On The Cob Sit Out?

The longest a corn on the cob can sit out at room temperature is for 2 hours. If you have left the corn on the cob for more than two hours in a hot environment, it may go bad. There is a lot of a chance of bacterial growth on the corn. Also, mold formation is very common.

You have to refrigerate the corn on the cob after a period of two hours. In this way, you will enjoy the same taste of the corn for 3 to 4 days. Remember, you have to store the corn on the cob by using the best ways.

What Happens If Corn On The Cob Sits Out Too Long?

If the corn on the cob sits out for too long, it can get spoiled. If the corn is with its husks and is uncooked or unsoaked, it will remain good even at room temperature. But if the corn is cooked or soaked, it will go bad because bacteria tend to grow on cooked food products.

You can refrigerate the corn if you are willing to eat it in two to three days. If you want the corn for longer, you can freeze it in the freezer. This is to keep the quality of corn fresh as before for longer. You need to defrost the corn in the best way when you want to use them.

How Long Does Corn On The Cob Last In The Car?

Corn on the cob can stay good for 3 to 4 hours if it is just boiled and any spices are sprinkled over it. If the corn is soaked in honey or water, it will remain good for 2 hours as on the kitchen counter. Also, make sure that the corn on the cob is not placed directly under the sun rays or near any heat source.

If the corn on the cob is with its husks and is uncooked, it will remain good for 10 to 12 days, even in the car or in your pantry. To make sure that your corn on the cob lasts, you have to make sure that the corn is away from moisture and heat sources like direct sunlight or kitchen stoves, etc.

What Should You Do If Corn On The Cob Is Left Out Too Long?

If some soaked corn on the cobs are left out in hot temperatures for long, you will need to toss them out. Even if you don’t see any bad symptoms on the corns, bacteria may have grown on them. Some signs that can be seen on bad corns are mold, soft or crumbly texture and foul odor.

Does Corn On The Cob Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

You have to refrigerate the corn on the cob to make it last longer. Otherwise, at room temperature, the corn may spoil because of the hot environment. If the temperature is cold outside, the corn may stay good for longer, but ultimately you will need to refrigerate the corn after 5 to 6 hours.

This is because there are still chances of germs interaction and bacterial growth on the corns because of exposure to air. You have to store the corn in the best storage containers to avoid air contact.

Does Corn On The Cob Go Bad If You Lose Power?

Corn on the cob will stay good for 5 to 6 hours in the refrigerator, even in a power outage. The reason is that the refrigerators maintain their temperatures for at least this period. The period may vary in different altitudes and refrigerators.

If the power does not recover, you would have to reheat the corns and eat them. Otherwise, you would have to toss the corns out.

What Temperature Is Safe for Corn On The Cob?

The safest temperature to store the corn on the cob is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for all food products. Bacteria grow rapidly above 40 degrees of Fahrenheit, rendering the corns unhealthy to eat.

How can you store corn on the cob to make it last longer?

Corn is available fresh as well as in frozen, canned varieties. Although eating fresh corn is the best choice, it is enjoyed long in the canned or frozen form. For fresh eating, corn should be cooked as soon as possible for the best flavors.

You can store corn by simple methods. Some of them are mentioned below.

Refrigerate them

If you plan to eat the corn within the next few hours, you can store it at room temperature. But for the best flavor and quality, it is better to refrigerate it and not let it sit out for too long. Cooking your corns before refrigerating is an even better option. This will keep the corn fresh for up to one week.

Before you store the corn in refrigerator, make sure to wrap it properly in a plastic bag or sheet. However, do not wrap it too tightly. Because in that case, molds can grow because of trapping more moisture.

Keep in an air-tight container

Cooked corn can also be stored in an air-tight container or zip-lock bags. Remove all the air from the bag. This will keep the corn fresh for a long.

Canning

Cooked corn can be stored in portions inside pint jars. Canned versions of corns are available in grocery stores. After opening the can, use it to the earliest.

Pickling

Pickling is an important method of food preservation. It increases its shelf life. White vinegar is usually used for pickling. The pickled corn has a sour taste.

Can you freeze corn?

As for all other foods, freezing is the most favorable method for storage. Properly stored, frozen corn stays fresh for about 12 months in the freezer. Care should be taken while freezing to prevent freezer burns.

It is better to blanch the corns before freezing them. Blanching helps to increase the flavor of the frozen corns. Freeze your corns by following the steps mentioned below.

Fill a container with water. Bring the water to a boil. Add corn cobs into the container and blanch for 6 to 10 minutes.
Cool the cob using cold water. Cut the kernels from the cob.
Ensure that the cooled kernels of corn are free of water droplets.
Place the corns in air-tight containers or freezer bags. Remove air before sealing the package.

Since frozen corn retains all the nutrients, freezing is a very beneficial method for storing corns.

Fresh corn tastes best if eaten within one or two days. After this time, the kernels lose their tenderness and taste dry due to the process of fermentation.

When properly stored in the refrigerator, corn can last for three to five days. It is important to wrap it properly for long-term storage. Failure to do this can cause the corn to dry out because of air contact.

Cooked corn lasts for three to five days in the fridge. Freezing, however, increases this period to ten to twelve months, but corn should be cooked first and then placed in freezer containers

How to tell if corn has gone bad?

Despite the numerous health benefits of corn, it has a great tendency to go bad. If your corn has gone bad, it loses its texture and flavor. Following signs will tell you that your corn has gone bad.

If fresh corn is left at room temperature, it dries out.
Frozen corns lose their original color and turn light green. Discoloration indicates that a freezer burn may have occurred.
The corn tastes unpleasant instead of its usual delicious taste.
Molds will begin to grow on the cob. If the mold has not spread widely, discard the molded portion only. The remaining part is still fresh to eat. However, if the molds have spread to a large extent, throw away the cob.

Corn is a versatile crop and is loved by all. It provides many health benefits due to the presence of essential nutrients. It is rich in carbohydrates and fiber. Corn can be used to make many products, including corn flour and corn oil.

If you have stored your corn properly, you don’t need to worry much. You can add it to your favorite recipes and enjoy it for a long time.

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