The versatile nature of corn makes it a popular food ingredient. Many different dishes include corn in their recipes. Scientifically, there are 5 major types of corn with different features and tastes. Popped popcorn and sugary sweet corn are two of them. They may be in the same category of cereals but still differ in many ways.
Popcorn vs Sweet Corn
The main difference between popcorn and sweet corn is that popcorn is mostly put to use as a dry food item after heating for a specified time. On the other hand, sweetcorn is a versatile food item that can be consumed by boiling or cooking thoroughly along with other veggies.
Popcorn is a whole grain snack. The outer layer of corn contains whole grain that helps it to pop. Popcorn contains less than half the fat compared to regular potato chips. There are numerous variations and caramel popcorn is one of the most common among them. It is most commonly associated with cinema halls and watching movies.
Sweet corn is a vegetable and is considered a relative of baby corn. It contains sugar because it is picked at an immature age. To experience the best flavor of sweet corn, dieticians recommend eating it soon after it is picked. Boiled alternatives are as common as baked sweet corn on top of a cheesy slice of pizza.
Comparison Table Between Popcorn and Sweet Corn
| Parameters of Comparison | Popcorn | Sweet Corn |
| Colour of plants during harvesting | The color of the popcorn plant is yellow as it matures, then it turns a brown color to harvest. | During harvesting, the plants of sweet corn remain green. |
| Texture | Popcorn is light and fluffy in texture | Sweet corn is soft and mushy in texture |
| Shape | Popcorn kernels are always round in shape | Sweet corn pieces are always triangular in shape |
| Protein and Carbohydrates | Popcorn contains high protein and low carbohydrates | Sweetcorn contains low protein and high carbohydrates |
| Moisture content | The moisture content of popcorn ranges from 13 to 14.5 percent | The moisture content of sweet corn ranges from 9.12 to 17.06 percent |
What is Popcorn?
Popcorn is a simple snack that most people love.
Earlier, it was only prepared as salty and buttery popcorn. But today it comes with varieties of flavors like caramel, honey, cheese, and masala.
According to history, corn along with popcorn and other subspecies originated in the New World.
Before 1880, popcorn was not mentioned in the seeds catalog and farm bill. Then by 1900, popcorn became part of the diet in many homes of the United States.
Many farmers also started growing popcorn in larger quantities because at low cost they were earning whopping profits.
Popcorn seeds are smaller in size and picking them is a laborious task. As a result, mechanical pickers are used to harvest commercial popcorn.
Popcorn is a healthy alternative to unhealthy snacks for many reasons. One of these reasons is that popcorn does not have the added sugar and oils, that junk food has.
It also does not have any trans fats or artificial ingredients, so it is a much healthier choice for a snack. Popcorn is also full of fiber, which helps you stay full longer and lowers your risk of getting heart disease.
What is Sweet Corn?
Sweet corn is popular in both forms- fresh and proceed vegetables.
The first super sweet variety of corn was released in 1961 by John Laughnan of the University of Illinois.
Sween corn requires specialized planting techniques to avoid cross-pollination from other plants.
Aroma, flavor, and texture of endosperm are considered while checking the quality of sweet corn.
It is harvested during an immature stage when the sugar is present in it, which is one of the main reasons behind the sweet taste of corn.
Sweet corn is often served in salads and soups. It can also be boiled and made into a side dish such as creamed corn, or mashed potatoes and corn. In addition, it can be used as an ingredient in Mexican dishes like Elotes.
In addition to being delicious, sweet corn also has a lot of health benefits. It has high levels of vitamin C, folate, and B6, which are all important for humans to live healthy lives.
The demand for fresh sweet corn is high in several parts of the world.
Countries like Canada, Japan, Taiwan, and Korea are the major consumers of sweet corn.
Main Differences Between Popcorn and Sweetcorn
Conclusion
Popcorn is a type of corn that is specifically made for movie theaters and other venues to serve. The kernel of popcorn is usually popped to make the popped variety, but it can also be un-popped or dry-roasted.
On the other hand, sweetcorn refers to long grain starchier corn that is considered unfit for popping.
Their nutritional values also differ from each other. Popcorn is typically considered a low-calorie snack food with little fat content. Also, it has a low rating on the Glycemic Index, meaning that popcorn does not raise blood sugar levels rapidly.
Sweetcorn is a great, healthy substitute for people following a vegetarian diet and breaks up the monotony of eating only vegetables. It offers many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that popcorn doesn’t. Sometimes it feels like you are eating something authentic, which can be good if you get bored with your diet.
References
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