Corn Vs. Sorghum

Corn

• The thick stem of the corn plant can grow up to 10 feet tall, depending on the species. It has broad leaves and bears a vegetable, which is covered by a stiff husk and a vegetable silk. Though the kernels are normally pale yellow, there are species that have red or blue colored seeds. The Americas are still the predominant place where corn is produced, and it is typically planted in the early spring. Corn can be harvested right before the kernel's starched has formed, which is called the "milk stage," up to when the kernels are fully matured. The vegetable is used to make many products, from syrup to fuel.

Sorghum

• A species of grass, sorghum is a grain that is normally cultivated as part of a pasture. Native to warmer tropical and subtropical climates, the plant has a reed shape with a large cone-like ear that is filled with seeds. The seeds are golden yellow when mature and can be sticky or dry. Though some species of the plant are used as animal feed, others are used to make food, sweeteners and alcohol.

Food

• Different species of the corn are used for different food purposes. Popcorn (Zea mays var. everta) is one of the oldest forms of corn, with kernels that burst when steamed. Ears of sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa) can be cooked on or off the cob, while the starch from dent corn (Zea mays var. indentata) is used to make corn syrup. One of the more popular forms of corn is flour corn (Zea mays var. amylacea), as its kernels are dried and ground to make flour.

  There are many species of sorghum, but only the sorghum bi-color species is used for food preparations. The sweet versions of the grain are usually sticky, and are used to make a syrup that is similar to molasses, while the dry versions can be harvested and used to make gruel or a thick pudding.

Alcohol

• Corn is used to produce ethanol, which is made by combining sugar, yeast and water. Also called ethyl and grain alcohol, after fermentation the liquid can range between 100 and 200 proof. Ethanol can be used in topical medicines and antiseptics, in addition to deodorants, perfumes and other personal care products. The fuel made with ethanol is an ecologically friendly alternative to fossil fuel and can be used to power cars and airplanes.

  Sweet sorghum is used to make both drinking alcohol and a form of ethanol fuel. The wines made from sorghum are often produced in northern China, and are usually clear unless infused with herbs. In Africa, the grain is fermented to produce sorghum beer. A "biofuel" is also produced from sorghum, an ethanol that producers are hoping will rival corn as well as fossil fuels, according to the report "The Economics of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum Using the MixAlco Process."