RE: SOAKING CORN IN SUGAR WATER

[angelsmom10]

 
We went to a festival a few years ago and the grilled corn was so sweet and it was in mid-June.  From experience, the corn usually isn t that sweet so early in the year.  So I asked, and I was told that it was soaked in " sugar water" .  She didn t know how long of the mixture.
 
 Has anyone heard or done this?
 
 How is it done?
 
 

BEST CORN I HAD

[mike4947]

 angelsmom10
This was one of my favorite aunts many secrets. You just throw some sugar in enough water to cover the corn and let it set for a " spell" .
 Of course now with the MUCH sweeter varieties of sweet corn on the market it s not as necessary.
  Here in Upstate NY I actually tried some of the dreaded FLordia corn last week. (getting desperate for my sweet corn fix) and it was a little tough but remarkably sweet for spending about 5 days before being cooked.
 (the longer it sits after being picked the more suger turns to starch)

[FL Crackers]

 angelsmom10
Hey! I resemble that remark!  []

[angelsmom10]

 mike4947

 

ORIGINAL:  mike4947
 
 This was one of my favorite aunts many secrets. You just throw some sugar in enough water to cover the corn and let it set for a " spell" .
 Of course now with the MUCH sweeter varieties of sweet corn on the market it s not as necessary.
  Here in Upstate NY I actually tried some of the dreaded FLordia corn last week. (getting desperate for my sweet corn fix) and it was a little tough but remarkably sweet for spending about 5 days before being cooked.
 (the longer it sits after being picked the more suger turns to starch)
 

 
 Any idea about how much sugar and how long to soak

[jpreiser]

 angelsmom10
my aunt also did this she also would add some milk to the water..... just enough to cover the corn. so it was more or less steamed not boiled to death. []

[wiininkwe]

 angelsmom10
When I was a kid, we would go to Gramma s farm on Sundays in the summer, and have a big Sunday dinner.   Then while all the kids ran around and got dirty and sweaty and tired, the adults would sit on the porch in the shade and talk.   Around 5 or so, Gramma would have the older boys set up a fire over by the cornfield, send us younger ones into the field to pick as much corn as we could carry.    Gram s old kettle would get set on the fire, and all the corn would get shucked, and when the water came to a boil in went the corn.   As soon as the water came back to a boil, the kettle would be pulled back from the hot fire, and just let to set for about 10 minutes.   There was always a big crock of butter (yes m, the real stuff) and lots of white cotton towels to pass around to handle all the messy faces.   We would all stand there, the only sound being the munchin  on those ears to our hearts content.  No meat, or salad, nothing else, just corn for Sunday supper.    We had butter dripping from our chins, and running down our elbows, but no one cared.   One of my very best memories, and it s way too bad that most of our kids will never get to do that.
 T
 []
   
 
 I forgot to say that Gram always soaked the  storebought  corn in sugar water, and added a little milk, too.

[Ab Diver]

 angelsmom10
This is one of SWMBO s favorite secrets for boiled corn on the cobb.  Start with cold water, add about 2 tablespoons of sugar in enough water to cover all the corn (typically 6 ears), and add a couple squirts of lemon juice (don t ask me why, but it sure helps make the corn tasty).
 
 Add the corn, turn on the heat, and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat so you don t overcook the corn. Works every time, and REALLY helps make so-so store-bought corn taste much better.

[NightOwl]

 angelsmom10
all of these ideas work GREAT--farm kid from Illinois KNOWS these things![]  the thing is, NEVER salt the corn water, it makes the corn tough.  but a little  sugar helps it to cook more thoroughly and brings out the flavor, and so does  some milk.  gotta go now--I m drooling all over the keyboard.[8D]

[iwantapopup]

 angelsmom10
I always throw in a couple teaspoons of sugar when I cook c-o-t-c but never heard about soaking it for a period or adding milk.  I do think the sugar helps make it sweeter.

[DiW]

 angelsmom10
I ve always added about a Tablespoon or so of sugar but never heard of adding milk. Will try that next time.
 Di

[Acts 2:38 girl]

 angelsmom10
I tried this, but maybe I did it wrong?  I added a few tablespoons of suger, the corn, and then brought it to a boil.  Is this the right order?

[Ab Diver]

 angelsmom10
That s it. Just by co-inki-dink, I made some COC last night. Added a good squirt of lime juice with the sugar cuz I didn t have any lemon juice. Bring the cold water to a boil, then give it a couple minutes, no more. Don t let the corn sit in the hot water too long. Absolutely De-lish! Juicy, tender, and sweet. []
 
 Sounds like you were " less than thrilled"  with yours, yes? Can t imagine why, unless the corn was " less than wunnerful"  to begin with. Try tasting a kernal before cooking (for comparison), and add the lemon/lime juice as well.

[munchkin]

Knew about the milk, but the sugar must have been kept secret. Never have been able to get my fresh corn as sweet as when I was a kid. Thanks for relieving my frustration.

Munchkin

[HouseInABox]

I use this method on the campfire and on our grill - we shuck our corn and clean it.  Here comes the messy part, I mix a stick of softened butter with salt and pepper or whatever seasonings and herbs you want to add; then I put about a tbs or less of butter and slather it all over the corn getting into the nooks and crannys, then my dh rolls them up in aluminum foil or if you prefer parchment lined foil.  We then grill turning for about 8 minutes.  I love butter dripping down my arms and corn is my favorite; but, this is great!  It has great butter flavor and is sweet from the roasting and perfectly seasoned and as a bonus it stays warm until you unwrap it.  

Another tip:  my dh usually does the corn first than places on a rock or the grill over the fire pit turned back and if nothing around a piece of wood while he cooks the meat.

mmmm the taste without the mess, and unlike boiled corn you can pick it up right away and eat it.

[MomboTN]

I typically will soak my corn in regular water, then just put it on the grill.  This is all done with the husk left on.  The water that has soaked in will roast/steam the corn.  The water will also keep the husks from burning.  There will be some black on the outermost layer but that peels right off.  I will try the sugar water to see if it helps any.