What is Sweet Corn Cob   (Yellow bhutta) ? Glossary | Nutritional Information, 

🌽 Sweet Corn Cob: A Beloved Snack and Ingredient in the Indian Context

The Sweet Corn Cob, known affectionately in India as "bhutta" (particularly when roasted) or "makai," has transitioned from being a seasonal crop to a year-round, beloved staple food. Unlike the traditional Indian desi makai(field corn) used for flour, the sweet corn variety is prized for its high sugar content, juicy kernels, and tender texture. Its appeal lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it a favorite for both quick street-side snacks and as a versatile ingredient in home cooking.

Versatility and Ubiquity in Indian Street Food

In the Indian context, the corn cob is perhaps most famous as a street food snack. During the monsoon and winter months, bhutta is ubiquitous: the cobs are either roasted directly over charcoal, giving them a distinct smoky flavor, or boiled. The roasted cobs are traditionally rubbed with a wedge of lemon dipped in a mix of salt, chili powder, and chaat masala. This simple preparation—spicy, tangy, and smoky—is a cultural ritual enjoyed across all cities and small towns, showcasing the corn's ability to carry intense Indian flavors.

Easy Availability and Affordability

The success of Sweet Corn in India is rooted in its easy availability and affordability. Its cultivation has significantly expanded, ensuring a steady supply that keeps the prices low and accessible to the general population. Whether sold whole at local vegetable markets (mandi), peeled as loose kernels by street vendors, or packaged in frozen form in supermarkets, corn is readily available everywhere. This cheap and abundant supply allows it to be enjoyed by all, cementing its status as a democratic food item.

Culinary Uses Across Indian Kitchens

Beyond the street, sweet corn kernels are a highly versatile vegetable in modern Indian home cooking. They are frequently used to add texture and sweetness to savory dishes. Common applications include: being added to mixed vegetable curries; incorporated into South Indian vegetable korma; used generously in veg pulao and biryani for color; and folded into salads and chaats. The kernels are also a primary ingredient in the immensely popular Indo-Chinese cuisine, where they feature in soups like Sweet Corn Vegetable Soup.

Recipe Examples Highlighting Versatility

The versatility of sweet corn is evident in several popular Indian recipes:

1. Sweet Corn Bhel/Chaat: Boiled kernels mixed with chopped onions, tomatoes, sev, and chaat masala for a tangy snack.
2. Corn Cutlets/Tikki: Ground corn mixed with mashed potatoes and spices, shaped into patties, and fried.
3. Sweet Corn Soup: A staple creamy soup that relies on the corn's natural sweetness and starch for body.
4. Palak Corn (Spinach and Corn Curry): A simple, nutritious dry curry demonstrating its compatibility with leafy greens.

A Healthy and Nourishing Ingredient

From a nutritional perspective, the Sweet Corn Cob is a valuable addition to the Indian diet. It provides dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, along with essential vitamins and minerals. Because it is often consumed without heavy oils or fats, especially in its simple boiled or roasted form, it is viewed as a healthy, wholesome snack option. Its natural sweetness satisfies cravings while providing sustained energy, making it popular among health-conscious individuals and children alike.

How to Select Sweet Corn Cob

Look for corn whose husks are fresh and green and not dried out. They should envelope the ear and not fit too loosely around it. To examine the kernels, pull back part of the husk. The kernels should be plump and tightly arranged in rows. You can test for the juiciness of the corn by taking your fingernail and pressing on a kernel. Corn that is fresh will exude a white milky substance.

To enjoy corns maximum flavor, purchase it on the day you are going to cook it since corn has a tendency to lose its flavor relatively rapidly.

Culinary Uses of Sweet Corn Cob

" Eat corn on the cob either just as is or seasoned with a little organic butter, olive oil or flaxseed oil, salt and pepper, nutritional yeast or any other herbs or spices you enjoy.

" Healthy sauté cooked corn with green chillies and onions. Served hot, this makes a wonderful side dish.

How to Store Sweet Corn Cob

Fresh corn freezes well if placed in heavy-duty freezer bags. Whole corn on the cob will keep for up to a month, while the kernels can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Store corn in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. Do not remove its husk since this will protect its flavor. To enjoy its optimal sweetness, corn should be eaten as soon as possible.

Is Sweet Corn healthy?

Health Benefits of SWEET CORN – The Myths and Facts Revealed

Ah! The yellow sweet corn roasted on fire to perfection is just a true pleasure for your eyes. Further piped up with oodles of butter and masalas is one of the essence of the rainy season. We use it as a part of salad, as toppings for pizza, as a stuffing for wraps, in soups and so on…. Well, this Sweet Corn is high in simple carbohydrates like glucose and sucrose along with fiber but low in fat. It contains some key nutrients, while it lacks some. Hence it is advisable to consume it in reduced quantities in a balanced diet.

8 health benefits of Sweet Corn

1. Sweet Corn for Energy: Its an energy boosting vegetable when compared to most other vegetables in the list. A cup of sweet corn kernels (154 grams) yields about 132 calories and 29.2 grams of carbohydrates.

2. Sweet Corn – A Rich Source of Fiber: Fiber is a nutrient which has a recommended requirement of at least 25 grams / day. A cup of sweet corn gives approx. 4.15 g of fiber i.e. 16.6% of the RDA of 25 grams. This score is what makes it a suggested addition to a healthy diet as it keeps you full for long hours and so you are less likely to overeat.

For complete Health Benefits of SWEET CORN read this article.

Nutritive Information for Sweet Corn Cob:

1 Sweet Corn Cob is about 143 grams

RDA stands for Recommended Daily Allowance.

Energy – 123 calories

Protein – 4.5 g

Carbohydrate – 27.1 g

Fat – 1.7 g

Fiber – 3.85 g

Vitamins:

88.2 mcg of Vitamin A = 1.83 % of RDA (about 4800 mcg)

2.42 mg of Vitamin B3 = 20.16 % of RDA (about 12mg)

43.4 mcg of Folate (Vitamin B9) = 43.4% of RDA (about 100 mcg)

Minerals:

38.8 mg of Magnesium = 11.08% of RDA (about 350 mg)

25.6 mg of Phosphorus = 4.26% of RDA (about 600 mg)

0.72 mg of Zinc = 6% of RDA (about 10 to 12 mg)

386.1 mg of Potassium = 8.21% of RDA (about 4700 g)