"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>
> >
> > what I'm buying before I buy it? I hardly think it's rude to want to
> > know the quality of the produce. With the garbage can right there, I
> > can accomplish the task of shucking in only a few minutes and feel neat
> > and clean about it. Perhaps there is a way to judge an ear without
> > shucking it, but since shucking doesn't destroy it either way, I can't
> > see where doing so is rude.
>
> Actually, it does have a negative effect on the corn. The husk keeps the
> corn moist and fresh. I always grill corn on the cob. Once it has been
> partially shucked it's useless to me. I can't tell you how many times I
> have watched people ripping open corn cobs and rejecting cobs that looked
> good to me, but which are now ruined for grilling.


They are not useless for grilling. In fact, I deliberately partially shuck
corn when I grill it because I like the carmelization that occurs, and the
flavor it imparts. You may not prefer it that way, and you can choose to buy
corn that is unshucked, just like anyone else can. I've yet to see a corn
display where all of the corn has been shucked, partially or no, unless the
store itself did it (which, by the way, is a method of hiding the age of the
corn. They don't want you to see the blackened silk and dried husks.).
Having part of the husk removed will not do any significant drying of the
corn before the age of the corn does it's own damage, so it's a moot point.
Especially since, as I mentioned previously, most people leave it attached,
so if you're that concerned about drying, simply pull it back into place.

kimberly
>