Many of us think of corn on the cob when summer finally arrives each year. And, as this is such a common expectation, it may seem strange to see an entry on this everyday item. Bu this corn is different! It is called Mirai and it is the sweetest hybrid corn ever developed. I only have a small raised bed with this variety but I will still get 30 ears of great corn this year.
This variety was developed at Twin Garden Farms in Harvard Illinois more than ten years ago. The only reason that it failed to catch on was the fact that it is so tender that machine picking damaged the corn. So, it had to be hand picked. But it did catch on in Japan where it is hand picked and it is a well known and loved corn. It is frequently eaten raw and used as a desert. That is sweet! But farmers here are learning how to use machines to pick this great variety and it will show up in markets in the near future. Meanwhile, check your local farm stand as they may already be selling it. The photo below shows the tassels turning brown. When the kernels at the end are milky, its time to pick. Two more days maybe...
This variety was developed at Twin Garden Farms in Harvard Illinois more than ten years ago. The only reason that it failed to catch on was the fact that it is so tender that machine picking damaged the corn. So, it had to be hand picked. But it did catch on in Japan where it is hand picked and it is a well known and loved corn. It is frequently eaten raw and used as a desert. That is sweet! But farmers here are learning how to use machines to pick this great variety and it will show up in markets in the near future. Meanwhile, check your local farm stand as they may already be selling it. The photo below shows the tassels turning brown. When the kernels at the end are milky, its time to pick. Two more days maybe...
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