Everyone knows corn. Whether fresh or canned, it is in demand in any form. And we love corn sticks and popcorn from early childhood. Accustomed to cobs with golden grains, many are not even aware of the variety of varieties of this crop. Not to mention where it came from and how long ago. Let's figure out what corn is, what family of plants it belongs to, and where it came from?
What is corn
Corn is undoubtedly the most important grain crop in Russia. But it is not entirely clear what type of fruit it is: is it a vegetable or a fruit, or maybe a vegetable or a grain? Perhaps it even refers to legumes, or not?
Common corn "Golden Bantam"
Maize, Cob, Kitka, Turkish millet - all these are the names of your favorite corn
To understand these issues, let's turn to the encyclopedia. So, sweet corn is a herbaceous plant with an annual growing season and belongs to the Poaceae family. In all other languages, our common corn is called maize (Zéa máys, lat.). There are several other names for the cereal: kitka, Turkish millet, cob. Also one of the names of sweet corn is papusha.
Gifts of the New World: The History of Corn
The double name (maize/corn) is explained by the fact that the derivative of mahiz (in the Indian language this was the name for corn itself) took root among European peoples and the American population. The Slavs have several versions of the origin of the word “corn”:
- from Slovenian kukúrjav (curly),
- Turkish kokoros (cob of corn),
- or even from the call sign kukuru, this is how the housewife called her poultry when she fed it with corn kernels.
Interesting fact! Sweet corn is the only cultivated member of the Maize genus that is grown throughout the world.
At the same time, experts divide it into 9 botanical groups based on the morphology and structure of the grains. There are a huge number of varieties of this crop that have a similar bush shape, but differ in the color and taste of the seeds. There are varieties with multi-colored ears. The history of the origin of this plant is also interesting.
Description of appearance
Before talking about the history of the origin of corn, let's briefly describe its appearance.
This is an annual herbaceous plant with tall – sometimes up to four meters – stems. The root system is very powerful. Its development depends on environmental conditions. If there is enough moisture, the roots are mainly located at a shallow depth. But if the soil is depleted and there is not enough moisture, the corn may well bury its roots by a meter and a half.
The leaves are quite large - long, but narrow. The maximum length reaches one meter, while the width rarely exceeds ten centimeters. The number also varies greatly - from 8 to 42.
The fruits are cobs - large, tightly wrapped in leaves. On their upper part there is a so-called stigma - several soft matted plant fibers. One cob can consist of a thousand grains, but usually their number is much less. The weight in some cases reaches half a kilogram.
Origin story
The origin of corn goes back to ancient times. During excavations, archaeologists discovered signs of the existence of this plant around 3000 BC. Maize was recognized as a cultivated plant 12 thousand years ago.
Corn fields
The birthplace of corn is Mexico. It was there that they found the first evidence of the existence of this plant and began to actively grow it. The then, one might say, still wild corn was significantly different from the current varieties. The cobs were small, up to 4 cm in length.
This culture gave a powerful impetus to the development of agriculture in America. The ancient Aztecs even had a corn god. It was also enjoyed by other Indian tribes: Olmecs and Mayans. Originating in the south of Mexico, gradually this plant (by the way, corn is not a legume) began to be grown throughout the continent. This is how new types of culture appeared.
When Europeans arrived in America, they paid attention to this amazing, nutritious plant and brought it to Europe.
Benefit
Corn is used in many areas of human activity. Maize is widely used as food and as a medicine in folk medicine. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain fabrics and plastics from it.
Food
Corn is a source of carbohydrates. The fruit contains about 15% protein, depending on the variety. It is a source of vitamins B, C, D, E, K, and folic acid.
Maize grains contain minerals: magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, zinc, selenium. Cobs are rich in carotenoids. 100 g of grain contains half the required daily amount of dietary fiber. Corn and dishes based on it are gaining popularity due to the absence of gluten, one of the strongest allergens.
Medical
In folk medicine, corn takes pride of place. Almost all parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes.
Tinctures of stigmas are used to improve the functioning of the gallbladder in case of cholecystitis, hepatitis and other liver diseases, and also as a diuretic and sugar-lowering agent.
Corn oil is a source of healthy Omega-3 fatty acids. Eating this oil reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol and prevents the occurrence of heart attacks and strokes.
Ecological
Due to its widespread availability and chemical composition, corn is used as a renewable raw material resource for the production of green plastics.
The fermentation of corn sugars produces polylactide (PLA), a biodegradable and biocompatible polymer material. It is used to make packaging for food products and is used in the production of surgical threads and pins.
Polylactide threads are used in the production of fabrics. Fabrics containing this polymer are easily dyed and combine the advantages of synthetic and natural fibers. At the same time, they do not harm the environment, because they are biodegradable.
Appearance in Europe and Russia
Corn arrived in Europe in 1496 thanks to Christopher Columbus . Farmers quickly appreciated the sun grass, ease of cultivation and wonderful taste. Maize began to be grown in the southern regions of Spain, France, and Portugal. But in northern European countries they could not grow the imported crop, since the heat-loving corn did not have time to ripen. Much later, new, more cold-resistant varieties appeared.
Maize cobs
Corn has not become as popular a grain as rye and wheat, but it occupies an honorable third place in the world in terms of cultivation volumes.
Good to know! The history of corn in Russia begins at the end of the 18th century after another war with Turkey in 1768-1774. Our country received the territory of Crimea as compensation. Just at that time, the Turks were actively growing kokoroza, which translated means “tall plant.” According to one version, the sound, which was not entirely convenient for the Slavs, gradually turned into corn.
Corn grows widely in Russia in the southern regions, the main part in the Stavropol and Krasnodar territories. However, it has not received mass distribution, as in America and Mexico, in our country.
Possible harm
Now the reader knows more about the origin of corn. Culture, alas, has not only beneficial properties, but also negative ones, which are very important to know about. Otherwise, you can provoke an exacerbation of some chronic diseases. So corn will only bring harm instead of the expected benefit.
Let's start with the fact that the lion's share of corn grown today is genetically modified. Perhaps its regular consumption does not have any unpleasant consequences, but the issue has not been fully studied. It is no coincidence that many scientists are sounding the alarm about this, blaming GMOs for the sharp increase in the incidence of diseases such as obesity, allergies and others.
But even ordinary corn can cause serious harm to human health. For example, it should not be consumed by people suffering from diseases affecting the duodenum and stomach. Its use leads to bloating, and this negatively affects the patient’s health.
Also, people who have problems with thrombophlebitis and increased blood clotting should avoid using it. Substances that make up corn grains may well affect this process, causing an exacerbation.
People suffering from excessively low body weight should also refrain from eating corn. It reduces appetite, which is why it is often used in various diets. But at the same time, corn oil should not be consumed by people suffering from obesity - after all, it is quite high in calories and can lead to more rapid weight gain.
Finally, a simple allergy to corn and its components is a contraindication.
The role of corn in agriculture
This cereal is grown in huge quantities in the USA, Mexico, China, Brazil, Argentina and many other countries. Maize is very popular all over the world.
Growing corn on an industrial scale
It is not only a valuable grain crop, but also an excellent animal feed. All parts of the plant are used in the production of livestock feed.
Grains are actively used in the food industry; they are used to produce cereals, flour, delicate starch, molasses and even alcohol. Perfectly consumed fresh, boiled, baked, canned.
Did you know? Among cereals in the global agricultural economy, this crop ranks third in terms of cultivation volumes.
Other uses
However, not all corn grown is used only for food. Take, for example, the USA: it is this country that grows the most of this crop. No more than 1% of corn is used for food.
Another 85% is used as feed in livestock farming. It is not surprising - grains make it possible to perfectly fatten animals and birds, helping them gain weight before slaughter. In addition, stems and leaves are used - the best silage is made from them, which is a good feed for farm animals in the cold season. By the way, the lion's share of corn grown in Russia is also used for silage.
And the rest of the corn grown in the United States is used for industrial purposes. It is distilled into technical alcohol, which can be used as high-quality fuel.
Corn silk is used in medicine - it has diuretic and choleretic properties.
And even this is not limited to the scope of corn. For example, in Transcarpathia, exquisite napkins, hats, and women's handbags are made from leaves. And in Vietnam, carpets woven from corn by local craftswomen are still popular.
The stems are also used as building material in poor regions of the Earth. And the ash from burnt stems is a highly effective fertilizer.
So it is not surprising that the ancient Indians explained the origin of corn on Earth by the intervention of the gods - it is difficult to find a sphere of human activity where this plant would not be involved.
Interesting Facts
Multi-colored varieties of corn
- Corn contains 26 elements of the chemical periodic table, and does not lose its beneficial properties under any type of processing.
- This annual plant can grow up to 7 meters in one cycle - approximately the height of a two-story house.
- Despite the fact that the plant has male and female inflorescences, it does not self-pollinate; it is necessary to plant at least two plants side by side.
- Among other cereals, it occupies the most area under planting in the world.
- This crop will not grow on its own in the wild. A grain that falls into the ground rots before it has time to germinate.
- At the moment, more than 1000 varieties have been bred.
- The cob always contains an even number of grains.
- There are at least 8, but no more than 42 leaves on the bush of this cereal.
- Frequent consumption of corn will slow down the aging processes occurring in the body.
- The smallest cobs weigh only 30 grams.
- You need to cook it without salt and sugar, otherwise it will become tough.
- There are varieties with multi-colored grains that are used for decorative purposes.
- In Russia, most of the corn grown is used to produce livestock feed.
- Not only the cobs themselves, but also the hairs (stigmas), are valuable products in the field of medicine.
Useful qualities
We figured out the origin of corn. The plant has a lot of useful properties that are worth talking about.
Let's start with the fact that its grains contain a number of important microelements and vitamins. First of all, these are vitamins C, D, B, K, as well as PP. Microelements include nickel, copper, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
Scientists have proven that a person who regularly consumes corn significantly reduces the risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke. After all, the body receives not only useful microelements, but also fiber and dietary fiber. Therefore, the rate of metabolic processes in the body increases, which has a beneficial effect on the immune system and human health in general.
It is also believed that eating corn by older people can improve vision. However, you need to be careful in choosing the right variety. Indeed, today various varieties are actively grown, each of which has a specific function and, accordingly, a certain composition. If you want to improve or simply preserve your vision, it is very important to choose an ear that has delicate yellow grains that have reached milky-waxy ripeness. Overripe and white (usually forage varieties) do not contain the necessary vitamins, so they will not bring any benefit.
Corn oil can also provide significant benefits. It is extracted from the germ of corn kernels.
Raw oil is used for the prevention of atherosclerosis, obesity, diabetes and many other serious diseases. Take it little by little - three times a day immediately before meals in the amount of 25 grams per session. Thanks to this, the level of sugar and cholesterol in the blood decreases, overall health improves, and sleep becomes deeper and more sound.
So it’s worth recognizing: this is a truly valuable crop, the correct use of which allows you to get rid of many diseases or at least alleviate their progression, which is not always possible even with the use of powerful and expensive drugs.
