|
Zea
mays (Corn)
ALL PACKETS OF CORN ( Zea mays ) CONTAIN APPROXIMATELY 200 SEEDS
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Oaxacan
Green
75
to 85 days-Unusually-colored 6" ears on 6' stalks. Kernels are
multiple shades of green, from bronzey to pea-like to dark. A
dent corn, meaning that each kernel is dented on top and its primary
use is for grinding into meal or coarse flour. From the Zapotec
Indians of southern Mexico, who have developed a fascinating array
of vegetable varieties. This ancient and hearty corn is used for
making green-flour tamales. Pronounced "Wahákan." All our corns
come in packets of approximately 200 seeds, as a stand of this
size is more or less the minimum for adequate pollination and
for preservation of the genetic diversity of the variety (if the
gene pool is any smaller than 200 plants, the variety will lose
vigor and begin to veer off into genetic weirdness). $5.00/pkt.
Country
Gentleman Sweet Corn
75-85
days to the sweet corn stage, 95-100 to full maturity-7" to 8"
ears on 6' to 8' stalks. Developed in the town of Orange, Connecticut
and introduced in 1890. Good for roasting. Do not expect modern
extra-sweet taste from this variety! This is the old-time corny
corn flavor. The unusual thing about this corn is that its kernels
are not in rows; they are long, narrow, and tightly packed together
in what appears to be a random pattern all over the surface of
the cob. Known as Shoe Peg in the South. Often produces two ears
per stalk. White kernels. $2.50/pkt.
Black
Aztec Sweet Corn
75
days to sweet corn stage, 100 to full maturity-7" ears on 6' stalks.
Kernels change color from milky white to blue-black as the ears
mature; eat as sweet corn (again, it will not be sweet to modern
palates) when white; use for parching (a way of preparing corn
similar to popping popcorn in a frying pan, only without the oil)
or sweet cornmeal when black. Only 8 to 10 rows of kernels per
ear. Usually produces two ears per stalk. Dates back to pre-Columbian
times, perhaps back to 2,000 years ago. $5.00/pkt.
Golden
Bantam
75
to 80 days to sweet corn stage-5" to 6" ears on 5' to 6' stalks.
Only 8 rows of plump, yellow kernels per ear. Introduced by Burpee
in 1902. Soon thereafter Golden Bantam became the king of sweet
corns, sweeping aside the white-kerneled varieties that had reigned
supreme for many years. Probably the most popular open-pollinated
sweet corn of all time. Like many open-pollinated sweet corns,
Golden Bantam must be picked very soon after it reaches its prime
of sweetness and tenderness, or it will pass on into a much less
pleasant tough and chewy stage. $2.50/pkt.
|
