Food - Drink
What To Do With Corn Silk Instead Of Throwing
It Away
By VANESSA NIX ANTHONY
Corn is truly a versatile vegetable — besides the kernels, corn husk is perfect for tamales or cooking en papillote, while cobs are great for making corn stock, and dried cobs can be used in place of wood chips. However, it might surprise you to know that corn silk has some amazing uses, too.
Per a 2012 study, corn silk is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and other important antioxidants and phytochemicals. One of its most popular uses is corn silk tea — considered a natural remedy in many cultures around the world — made by steeping a tablespoon of chopped corn silk for about 10 minutes in a cup of boiling water.
You can also dry and fry your corn silks, and use them as a beautiful, crispy garnish. Use fried corn silk as a topper for corn-rich soups like vegan corn chowder or as a crunchy sweet corn ice cream topping. Ideas in Food cleverly uses fried corn silk to make a nest in which to cradle soft-boiled eggs.