Have You Ever Heard of the Delicacy Called Corn Smut?

It's that time of year when corn is being harvested and all of us are scooping up ears at the grocery stores and farmer's markets all over Northern Colorado. Arguably one of the best varieties of corn you can get in Colorado is the Olathe Sweet Corn.

Around this time of year, there are two or three fresh produce items that can be found in our home. Watermelon, canteloupe, and Corn. I am a firm believer that these three items are always the best when they are at the peak of the harvest season.

You can make pretty much anything with corn, but corn on the cob is always a hit no matter what. When you go to shuck the corn, you might find something strange in place of the kernel of corn. So much in fact, that it looks like the cob could be a prop in a horror movie.

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What is Corn Smut and Can You Eat it?

When you pull back the husk and silk from the cob of corn, you might encounter something that resembles a gigantic corn kernel. This kernel could be light blue, black, or a combination of colors looking like a bruised smurf. What occurs inside of a corn husk is a phenomenon known as corn smut. This happens when the corn is infected by a pathogenic fungus.

While it may not look appetizing, the fungus-infected corn kernels are edible and considered a delicacy in Mexico. So if you ever end up with a cob of corn that has corn smut, give it a taste, you might like this fungus-filled corn.