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๐ŸŒณ Plants ๐ŸŒฝ Vegetables and crops

Corn

Rows of corn cover most of the farmland in the Midwest of the United States. Corn is one of the most important crops in the world, a leading source of energy in people's diets, a major food for livestock, and used in many industries.
Rows of corn cover most of the farmland in the Midwest of the United States. Corn is one of the most important crops in the world, a leading source of energy in people's diets, a major food for livestock, and used in many industries.

๐Ÿ“– In short

Corn is a tall plant with wide green leaves that carries cobs full of sweet yellow kernels. It's one of the most important grain crops in the world, along with wheat and rice. We eat it grilled or boiled, and make popcorn, cornflakes and flour from it.

๐Ÿคฉ Did you know?

  • The world produces hundreds of millions of tonnes of corn every year.
  • China is one of the biggest corn producers.
  • A single corn cob has hundreds of kernels.
  • A corn plant can be taller than a grown man.

๐Ÿ”Ž Find out more

๐ŸŒŸ It comes from America

Native Americans grew corn thousands of years ago, and it was their main food. Then explorers took it to Europe, Africa and Asia, and it spread all over the world.

๐Ÿ” The cob and the silk

Corn kernels grow on a long cob wrapped in green leaves, and soft silk like golden threads comes out of the tip, with each strand joined to one kernel!

๐Ÿ’ก The secret of popcorn

Inside a popcorn kernel there's a little water. When we heat it, the water turns to steam that pushes from inside, and the kernel bursts: pop! It becomes white, fluffy popcorn.

๐ŸŽฏ Many uses

People aren't the only ones who eat corn: it's fed to animals, and made into oil, starch, sweet corn syrup and even fuel for cars.

๐Ÿ“ธ More pictures

The nutritional value of a whole kernel of field corn.
The nutritional value of a whole kernel of field corn.
People eat corn on its own, or it's used as an ingredient in many kinds of food
People eat corn on its own, or it's used as an ingredient in many kinds of food
Corn is used in many foods, including cornflakes. Manufacturers also use corn to make cosmetics, paper goods and textiles.
Corn is used in many foods, including cornflakes. Manufacturers also use corn to make cosmetics, paper goods and textiles.

๐Ÿงฉ Test yourself

1 What do we make from corn when it's heated and bursts?

2 Where did corn first come from?

3 Which picture shows โ€œCornโ€?

๐ŸŒณ Discover more