How We Use Corn

We might not think of corn as an ancient grain, but it is. For centuries, it has been known and grown as maize in the Americas. Scientists believe the original wild form of corn has long been extinct. Through the years, corn has been cultivated to the point where it is truly a domesticated crop. In its present state, it does not grow and propagate without man’s intervention.

Corn is prepared and eaten in a variety of ways. Cornmeal is made by grinding whole corn. It is used for making cornflakes, cornbread, pancakes, and tortillas. Cornstarch is made from the endosperm. It is used in baby powder, as a thickening agent, and in some plastics. Corn syrup is made from cornstarch. As a sweetener, it is cheaper to produce than sugar cane. We produce a biofuel, or gas, from corn called ethanol. Cars can run on a mixture of gasoline and up to 10 percent ethanol. Oil is also produced from corn and is used for many things, including cooking. After oil is pressed from corn, the germ remains. It can be used for livestock feed or added to industrial glue for strength. Plastic made from corn uses over 50 percent less fossil fuels than other plastics. These products also decompose more easily in landfills. A common use of such plastic is food containers and disposable silverware.

Other uses for corn and its products include snack foods, medicinal teas, cosmetics, and soap. Corn is used in agriculture for animal bedding, feed, and fertilizers. We use corn products to make matches and carpet. It’s even in batteries and crayons! It’s hard to imagine a crop worldwide that has as many uses as corn.