Varieties of Sweet Corn Seed

Normal Sugary

• The normal or standard sugary variety of sweet corn seed is corn raised for commercial processing (canned, frozen). Normal sugary corn includes corn sold in the supermarket produce section. Standard sweet corn varieties lose their sugary quality and turn to starch within 24 to 48 hours of harvest. Some yellow varieties of normal sugary corn seeds to look for are “Northern Vee," "Jubilee” and “Jubilee RR.” A white standard sugary variety is “Silver Queen.”

Sugar Enhanced

• Sugar enhanced seeds produce more sugar than the usual store-bought variety. The kernels are easier to chew and this variety has a stronger corn flavor. The sugars turn to starch somewhat more slowly than the normal variety. Sugar enhanced varieties include “Sugar Snow," "Divinity," "Alpine” and “Argent” in the white variety. The yellow corn seed varieties in this group include: “Sugar Buns," "Incredible” and “Tendertreat.” This variety also has a good bi-color seed called “Quickie.”

Supersweet

• Supersweet is two to three times sweeter than standard. Supersweet is crisper and has a longer supermarket life than standard and sugar enhanced. Some seed names to remember in the supersweet yellow varieties: “Northern X-tra Sweet," "Sweetie 82” and “Illine X-tra Sweet.” Three white seed varieties are: “How Sweet It Is," "Snowbird” and “Pegasus.” Bi-color seed varieties are: “Snowy Sam," "Honey n Pearl” and “Phenomenal.”

Organics

• Some organic varieties of sweet corn seeds to choose from are “Stowell’s, Lucias F1 Hybrid" and “Sugar Pearl F1 Hybrid.” Stowell’s seeds produce a white corn with 8 to 10-inch ears. "Lucias F1 Hybrid" seeds produce bi-color, sugar enhanced, 8-inch ears. "Sugar Pearl F1 Hybrid" is a yellow, sweet variety with excellent flavor.