About Corn (Versi Inggris)
Corn is the most valuable crop grown in the United States. Along with wheat, rice, and potatoes, it ranks as one of four most important crops in the world. When Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba in 1492, he sent two of his men to explore the island. When they returned, they told him about “a sort of grain called maiz.” This was the first time white men had heard of the plant that we call corn. In the British Isles, people call corn maize (Indian corn). They use the word corn for such grains as wheat, oats, barley and rye.
We eat corn just as it comes from the ear in succotash chowder, pudding, popcorn, fritters, parched corn and as a roasted an boiled corn on the cob. We sometimes eat soft, white hominy, made by treating the whole grains with lye and washing them carefully. Manufacturers flavour hominy, rolled it out and toast it to make corn flakes. Corn kernels are coarsely grown to make corn meal. Foods make from corn meal include corn bread, cookies, tamales and waffles. Corn kernels are high in food value. They provide a rich source of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
The basic product of revining are starch, sugar, syrup and oil. Corn oil is used as a salad oil and cooking oil and other food products such as margarine and shortening. Corn starch is used to thicken puddings, gravies, sauces and vermizelli. It is also used in such products as candy, chewing gum, and baked goods. Corn syrup made by heating cornstarch in closed tanks, sweetens many foods and is used as a spread for bread.
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