Air-Drying Corn

Popcorn and colorful ornamental corns belong to the flint corn varieties. Unlike sweet corn, these corns require thorough drying before use. Much of the drying occurs in the garden prior to harvest, but some moisture still remains in the kernels after picking. Air-drying the corn while its still on the cob ensures that your popcorn pops properly and with good flavor and that the ornamental corn looks its best in your autumn displays.

Mesh bags

Instructions

- 1
  Pick the ears of corn when the husks become dry and brittle and after the corn kernels harden. Bend the ears down toward the stalk and twist them until they separate from the plant.
- 2
  Peel the husks from each ear of corn. Place four to six ears in a mesh bag. Overfilling the bag can cause the ears in the center to dry too slowly.
- 3
  Hang the bag in a 75- to 85-degree-Fahrenheit room that provides good air circulation. Avoid moist or humid locations, because the corn requires dry air to cure properly.
- 4
  Test popcorn for optimum drying after two weeks. Remove a small handful of kernels from one ear and attempt to pop them. If the majority of the kernels pop and have a good flavor, the ears are sufficiently dried and ready for storage.
- 5
  Dry ornamental corn for approximately three weeks. The kernels are sufficiently dry when you can't dent them with a fingernail.

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