What Is The Sweetest Sweet Corn

If you want the best flavor from your garden, knowing what is the sweetest sweet corn is the first step. The most sugary and tender ears come from specific types that have been bred for super sweetness.

This guide will help you choose the right variety and grow it successfully. You’ll learn how to get that perfect, juicy crunch every time.

Not all sweet corn is the same. Modern breeding has created distinct categories based on sugar content and texture. The sweetest types are often called “supersweet” or “shrunken” corn.

These varieties convert sugar to starch very slowly after picking. This means they stay sweet for much longer than traditional corn.

The Three Main Types of Sweet Corn

Understanding these categories is key to picking your winner.

Standard (SU): This is old-fashioned sweet corn. It has a classic, balanced flavor but its sugars convert to starch quickly after harvest. For the best taste, you need to cook it almost immediately after picking.
Sugar Enhanced (SE or EH): These varieties have a higher sugar content and a more tender, creamy kernel texture. They are known for being very forgiving and easy to grow, with good flavor retention.
Supersweet (SH2): This is the answer to “what is the sweetest sweet corn.” SH2 varieties have up to three times the sugar of standard types. The kernels are extra crisp and the sweetness holds for days after harvest. The trade-off is that the kernels can have a drier, more brittle texture.

Top Contenders for Most Sugary and Tender

Based on flavor tests and gardener feedback, here are some standout varieties.

For Pure Sugar Rush: Supersweet (SH2) Varieties

‘How Sweet It Is’: A gold-winning variety that lives up to its name. It produces long, attractive ears with incredible sugar levels that last.
‘Xtra-Tender’: This one adresses the sometimes tough kernel issue of SH2 types. It’s bred to be both supremely sweet and remarkably tender, a true best-of-both-worlds option.
‘Supersweet Jubilee’: A reliable, high-yielding yellow corn that is consistently ranked at the top for sweetness. It’s a great choice for beginners trying SH2 types.

For Balanced Sweetness and Creamy Texture: Sugar Enhanced (SE) Varieties

‘Kandy Korn’: An heirloom SE variety that remains a favorite. It has beautiful two-tone kernels and offers a wonderful combination of high sugar and old-fashioned corn flavor.
‘Bodacious’: Known for its strong stalks and fantastic, tender-sweet flavor. It’s a versatile corn that perfoms well in many different climates.
‘Miracle’: A bicolor SE corn famous for its exceptional tenderness and sweet, creamy taste. Many gardeners consider it the perfect eating corn.

How to Grow the Sweetest Corn Possible

Choosing the right seed is only half the battle. Your growing practices have a huge impact on final sweetness.

1. Planting for Success

Corn needs full sun – at least 8 hours of direct light per day. It also demands rich soil.

Amend your soil with plenty of compost or well-rotted manure before planting. Corn is a heavy feeder.
Plant seeds only after the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (16°C). Cold soil leads to poor germination.
Sow seeds in blocks, not single rows. This improves wind pollination, leading to fully filled ears.
Plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 9-12 inches apart.

2. Watering and Feeding

Consistent moisture is non-negotiable for tender kernels.

Water deeply, providing 1-2 inches per week. Avoid frequent shallow watering.
Use a balanced fertilizer when plants are about knee-high. A side dressing of compost or a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer mid-season gives them a crucial boost.
Mulch heavily around plants to conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds, which compete for nutrients.

3. The Harvest Secret

This is the most critical step. Picking at the right moment makes all the difference.

Watch for the silks to turn brown and dry out. The ear should feel firm and full at the tip.
Peel back a small part of the husk and press a kernel with your thumbnail. If a milky liquid squirts out, it’s perfectly ripe. If the liquid is clear, it’s not ready. If no liquid comes out, it’s overripe.
Harvest in the early morning when temperatures are cool for the best sugar content.
Get the pot of water boiling before you go out to pick. The moment an ear is detached from the stalk, its sugars begin to convert. For ultimate sweetness, cook immediately.

Common Mistakes That Reduce Sweetness

Avoid these pitfalls to protect your crop’s flavor.

Cross-Pollination: If you plant different types (like SH2 and SU) too close together, they will cross-pollinate. This can ruin the texture and sweetness of your supersweet corn. Separate different types by at least 250 feet, or plant them so they tassel at least 2 weeks apart.
Inadequate Water: Drought stress during kernel development leads to starchy, tough kernels. Don’t let the soil dry out.
Late Harvest: Leaving ears on the stalk too long is a common error. The sugars peak at the “milk stage” and then decline rapidly.
Poor Soil: Starved plants cannot produce sugary kernels. Invest time in building your soil fertility.

FAQ: Your Sweet Corn Questions Answered

Is white, yellow, or bicolor corn sweeter?

Color isn’t a reliable indicator of sweetness. The variety type (SU, SE, SH2) and genetics determine sugar content. Some of the sweetest corns come in all three colors.

Why was my super sweet corn not tender?

This can happen with some SH2 varieties if they are not grown with enough water or if they are picked a bit late. Try a “tender-enhanced” SH2 type like ‘Xtra-Tender’ next time, and be meticulous about harvest timing.

How can I keep my corn sweet after picking?

For short-term storage, refrigerate ears immediately in a plastic bag. The cold slows the sugar-to-starch conversion. For best flavor, eat within 1-2 days, even for supersweets.

What’s the difference between “sweet corn” and “field corn”?

They are completely different. Field corn (also called dent corn) is starchy and grown for animal feed or industrial uses. Sweet corn is a genetic mutation that retains sugar in the kernels, making it edible and sweet off the cob.

Can I save seeds from my sweet corn?

It’s not recommended for home gardeners. Most modern varieties are hybrids, and saved seeds won’t come true. They also easily cross-pollinate, leading to unpredictable (and often starchy) results. It’s best to buy new seeds each year.

Final Tips for Sugar Success

Start with a proven supersweet or sugar-enhanced variety suited to your climate. Focus on soil health and consistent watering. Then, master the harvest. That simple three-step approach is your garanty for success.

Growing the sweetest sweet corn is incredibly rewarding. The taste of an ear picked and cooked minutes later is unlike anything you can buy. With a little planning and these tips, you’ll be enjoying the most sugary, tender corn from your own backyard.