*Corn, also called sweet corn or sugar corn is a variety of maize, Zea mays var. rugosa.

*Sweet corn is picked when immature and eaten fresh as a vegetable.

*Yellow corn is a very rich source of Vitamin A and carotenoids than the other varieties.

*Dehydrated corn is made mostly from white or yellow corn varieties.

*They have increased shelf life, inexpensive than the fresh ones or canned ones, and weigh less.

*Dehydrated corn need to be rehydrated with cold water for about 15-20 minutes before using. On rehydration, the weight and volume increases 2.5 to 3 times their dry weight.

*These are excellent as emergency foods, and widely used in army, military, hiking, etc.

*Rehydrated corn look bright yellow and you really cannot differentiate between fresh, frozen, canned and dehydrated ones. They taste great in soups, stews, etc.

*Corn can cause allergies in some people, so people with known corn allergies should stay away from it.

*Buying and storage: Select good quality dehydrated corn. They keep very well for several months when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. No need to refrigerate or add oxygen absorbers to the storage container.

Is it raw?

Yes and No.
*Yes, generally dehydrated corn kernels are raw.
*No, because sometimes commercially prepared dehydrated corn kernels are sulphured. Make sure you read the label.

Health Benefits

1. Corn is very low in calories, has minimal amounts of fats and no cholesterol.

2. Though water soluble B-group vitamins are lost during the dehydration process, most of the other nutrients are retained.

3. Yellow corn is rich in a substance called beta-cryptoxanthin, an orange-red carotenoids pigment found to lower the risk of developing the lung cancer.

4. Good source of Vitamin C, a natural water soluble antioxidant. It enhances the body's immune system, increases the elasticity of skin and blood vessels, and prevents bruising of the skin.

5. Moderate source of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and manganese, which play a very important role in maintaining proper metabolic activities of the body.

6. Good source of folic acid and Vitamin B

6. This along with a good amount potassium reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, cholesterol build up in the blood, heart attack, diabetic heart disease, etc.

7. Good source of dietary fiber. It adds roughage to the contents of the intestines, promotes satiety, promotes the health of the colon, and also helps in relieving constipation, hemorrhoids, diverticular disorders, etc.