Eating corn, specifically sweet corn, is harvested using a machine called a corn harvester or corn picker.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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The Machine: A corn harvester is a specialized piece of farm equipment designed to efficiently collect ears of corn.
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Picking Action: The harvester moves through the cornfield, and its mechanisms pull the entire ear of corn from the stalk. Importantly, the husk (the leafy outer covering) remains intact around the ear during this process.
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Sweet Corn vs. Field Corn: This method is primarily used for sweet corn, the type you buy fresh to eat. Sweet corn accounts for a relatively small percentage of overall corn production. Field corn, used for animal feed and other products, is typically harvested differently.
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Timing: Sweet corn harvesting takes place during the summer months when the corn is at its peak ripeness for eating.
In summary, a corn harvester picks sweet corn by pulling the entire ear, husk and all, from the stalk.
