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Description
National Corn on the Cob Day – June 11 is an unofficial holiday created to honor the beloved summer favorite: corn on the cob. It’s a day when people across the country fire up their grills, boil pots of water, and get ready to enjoy the sweet, juicy kernels fresh off the cob. This celebration invites you to enjoy corn in all its simple, tasty glory.
History
Corn, also known as maize, was first domesticated over 9,000 years ago in southern Mexico. Back then, ancient peoples began cultivating a wild grass called teosinte, which looked nothing like the corn we eat today. Through careful selection and generations of planting only the best-tasting, most useful crops, early farmers transformed this wild plant into what would become one of the world’s most important crops.
Corn’s discovery by European explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries marked a major turning point. When Columbus and other explorers arrived in the Americas, they encountered corn being grown by Native American tribes across the continent. These early societies used corn in various ways—not just for food, but also for ceremonial and practical purposes.
After being brought back to Europe, corn spread rapidly across the globe due to its versatility and adaptability. It could grow in many climates and offered high yields, making it a staple in countries far beyond its American roots.
While traditional field corn was widely used for animal feed, flour, and processed foods, it was not as tender or sweet as what we enjoy today. That changed in the 18th and 19th centuries when farmers began selectively breeding corn for flavor and tenderness. This led to the development of sweet corn, the juicy variety specifically grown for human consumption, especially on the cob.
By the 20th century, sweet corn had become a summer favorite in the United States, especially in rural communities and farming states like Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. With refrigeration and transportation improvements, fresh corn became more accessible to people across the country.
The exact origins of National Corn on the Cob Day – June 11 are a bit of a mystery (as with many quirky food holidays), but it’s likely that someone passionate about summer, barbecues, and this golden delight wanted to dedicate a day to its celebration. June is an ideal time, since it marks the beginning of corn season in many U.S. regions.
Amazing Facts
1. Corn Is Grown on Every Continent (Except Antarctica)
Corn is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. From the U.S. to Africa to Asia, corn feeds billions of people and animals globally.
2. An Average Ear of Corn Has 800 Kernels
Most ears of corn have about 800 kernels arranged in 16 neat rows. Mother Nature really knows how to organize a snack!
3. Corn Always Has an Even Number of Rows
Try counting—every ear of corn has an even number of kernel rows, usually between 12 and 20. It’s a genetic rule!
4. There Are Over 3,500 Uses for Corn
Corn isn’t just food—it’s used in toothpaste, crayons, plastic, ethanol fuel, paper, glue, and even fireworks. Seriously, corn is everywhere.
Why We Love
1. It's a True Taste of Summer
Nothing says summer quite like fresh, juicy sweet corn. As soon as corn hits the stands, you know sunny days and outdoor meals have officially begun.
2. It's the Ultimate Backyard Food
Corn on the cob is perfect for picnics, cookouts, and family gatherings. You can grill it, boil it, or roast it over a fire—it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
3. It’s Deliciously Messy (in the Best Way)
Let’s be honest—there’s joy in sinking your teeth into a buttery cob, even if it means getting a little corn stuck in them!
4. It Brings People Together
From shucking corn with your grandma on the porch to sharing it at a BBQ with friends, corn has a way of creating moments and memories.
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