Culinary Corn Goes Commercial

Culinary Corn Goes Commercial Seed for a new corn hybrid bred for flavor is now available commercially. Choices F1 from Creative Botanics (Vol. 47, No. 1) has moved from research plots to the field. The bronze-red hybrid was developed from a mix of heirloom flint and dent corn. “Choices F1 is available from Albert Lea Seeds in larger quantities and from Johnny’s Seeds for smaller growers,” says Keith Williams, Creative Botanics. “It’s proven itself in the field and in the trifecta of brewing, baking and tortilla making. Trillium Brewing and Distilling has made a beer with it and a bourbon that’s aging in the barrel.” Unlike traditional heirlooms that have gained popularity in recent years, Choices F1 was selected for its productivity as well as its flavor. “I love the old heirloom varieties, but I wouldn’t want to be in business with them,” says Williams. “Choices F1 is a mid-season flex hybrid that runs about 140 bushels per acre on 5 to 7-ft. stalks with 8 to 9-in. ears. In a good year, it’ll produce longer or multiple ears per plant.” The culinary aspects of Choices F1 have also proven out. Williams has conducted chemical analyses for distillers that identify high levels of metabolites, oils, and proteins thought to contribute to flavor. “It has high congener values, chemical compounds generated during the fermentation and distillation process,” says Williams. Congeners are responsible for the flavors, aromas and sensory characteristics of each type of spirit. Those same flavors come through in baking for those who prefer red corn. “It makes a delicious corn bread, but it’s not yellow,” says Williams. “My next cultivar is coming down the chute. It’s a yellow corn that has been optimized for dry or wet milling, with a higher protein for better extrusion for masa. It’ll be a little shorter season and a little harder starch.” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Keith Williams, 5500 Nicollet Ave. #19161, Minneapolis, Minn. 55419 (ph 248-830-5234; kwilliamsmpls@gmail.com; www.creativebotanics.com) or Albert Lea Seed, 1414 W. Main St., Albert Lea, Minn. 56007 (ph 800-352-5247; seedhouse@alseed.com; www.alseed.com) or Johnny’s Selected Seeds (ph 877-564-6697; service@johnnyseeds.com; www.johnnyseeds.com).

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