Aw shucks! Did you know that some of the corn you see growing across the state is not actually the sweet corn you can eat? Field corn, also known as dent corn because each kernel has a tiny dent, is grown as a grain used in livestock feed, ethanol production and food ingredients such as corn cereal, starch, oil and syrup. Unlike field corn, sweet corn kernels are soft and sweet and taste great eaten right off the cob.

Scroll through the slideshow and check out the downloadable infographic below to learn more fun facts about North Carolina-grown corn.

9 of 9
corn
Photo by Jeff Adkins

One bushel of corn can sweeten more than 400 cans of soda.

9 of 9

Comments

  • Robin Halsey

    I was expecting a LOT more information on the difference between field and sweet corn than just the fact that field corn has a dent on each kernel…. I would have thought there were more differences than that!

  • Tim Simpson

    I was expecting a lot more info other than just the name.

  • Fran

    Just try to eat an ear. You will know the differences!

  • Raleigh

    Can you approximate the size of the dent on the field corn? I am trying to do an analysis on the physical differentiations between field and sweet kernels.

Comments are closed.

Read & Connect

NCField&FamilySummer2026
Flip through the pages of the Summer 2026 edition of North Carolina Field and Family magazine. In this issue, find vineyard adventures at U-pick muscadine grape farms, explore the oasis of Manteo, learn more about on-farm markets, enjoy peak berry season with summer berry recipes, read about riveting research on hemp fiber and so much more.

Get the latest news, recipes, articles and more, right to your inbox.

Connect with us