Corn and maize are terms used to define a versatile and essential crop. There are certain regions where maize is also known as corn. That’s why people got confused, is maize and corn the same thing? There are some differences if we look at these terms closely. The main difference between corn and maize is that the term corn is used in North America, while maize is commonly used in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
Let’s take a closer look at Corn vs. Maize
| Language | Corn is used in the American language, and maize is used in the British. |
| Origin | Corn originated in the 14th century, while maize originated in the 19th century. |
| Fame | Corn is famous in Canada, while maize is famous in European countries |
| Usage | Whether it’s corn or maize, both are used as food but in different ways. |
Table of Contents
What is Corn?
Corn is basically a North American cereal that is produced from kernels and can be used for an individual grain. The word corn can be used as a cereal in Scotland and England, and in some cases, it is also used as an alternative phrase to oats and wheat grain.
What is Maize?
The term “Maize” originated from the Spanish phrase, which was built into English during the mid-16th century. This term is currently used in North America and is a plant with big grains set on a cob. A lot of merchandise for humans and animals has been produced from this plant.
5 Key Differences Between Corn and Maize
| Components | Corn | Maize |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Corn is a North-American Cereal in which kernels are attacked on cob in a row. | It is a large grain plant that is found in European countries and grows on a cob. |
| Word | Word “corn” has different meanings depending upon its geographical region. This word describes small items, which can be any kind of grain. | The word “Maize” was the original word used for the crop containing small items, but later on, this term was utilized for the plant which is not cooked or still raw. |
| Refer To | Corn basically refers to the food present at the market or on your dinner plate. | Maize refers to the product grown in the fields and prior to harvesting |
| Plant | The corn plant is tree-like with sword shaped leaves, those dark leaves which are 2 ft long and 4 inches wide. | The maize plant has a simple stem with nodes and internodes. The leaves of the plant can grow from 30-100 m |
| Technical Context | Technically, the term corn refers to the food present on your plate | Maize is technically referred to as the product yielded from the fields |
Maize vs. Corn Plant
The maize plant has a simple stem, which has nodes and internodes. Each internode has a large pair of leaves. There are a total of 8-21 leaves on each maize plant. The length of the maize plant can reach up to 7-10 ft in height. On the other hand, the Corn plant doesn’t have branches but leaves of sword shape. These leaves have dark cream-yellow stripes in the middle. As the plant grows, it sheds its leaves and has a bare stem with few leaves on the top. The growth of the corn plant is slow, but it can grow to 6 ft or more.
Whole Corn vs. Cracked Corn
Cracked corn was the whole corn before it went through the mill for cracking. This cracking process breaks the corn into smaller pieces making it easier for birds and animals to digest. But if we talk about whole corn vs. Cracked corn, the whole corn can provide excellent results when fed, but cracked corn has 5-10% more digestibility than whole corn.
Flaked maize vs. Cracked Corn
There is not much difference between flaked and cracked. Flaked maize is the corn steamed and rolled to gelatinize its stretches, which makes it easier to convert into sugar. Flaked maize is very easy to use. Cracked corn, on the other hand, is cheaper and more digestible. Because in cracked corn, the corn is broken down into smaller pieces.
Corn vs. Maize Pros and Cons
Corn Pros and Cons
Pros of Corn
- Corn contains a high amount of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which can provide a lot of health benefits.
- Most people find whole corn and popcorn beneficial as part of their balanced diet.
- Corn is naturally gluten-free, so it can be a great option for those suffering from gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Cons of Corn
- Corn can easily get contaminated with fungi which can put off toxins. And eating corn with these toxins can cause many health risks like certain cancers and lung issues.
- Corn contains high carbs but a very low amount of protein, meaning you have to eat high protein food if eating corn.
Maize Pros and Cons
Pros of Maize
- Maize kernel is a highly nutritious edible part of the plant. It contains a high amount of vitamin C, E, K, and B vitamins.
- Maize germ contains almost 45-50% oil, which can be used in salads and cooking.
- Maize silk also contains essential constituents like fibers, salt, resin, fixed oil, and mucilage.
Cons of Maize
- Maize production can have a major impact on the environment as it can be a cause of water and soil pollution. Because the fertilizers and pesticides used can dissolve in rivers and lakes.
- Maize can easily catch diseases. There are 40 reported diseases of maize worldwide, like maize rough dwarf disease, maize streak dwarf disease, etc.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Corn vs. Maize FAQs
Is Maize Corn?
Maize and corn are both terms used for a versatile crop. Maize Is also known as corn in different regions of the world.
Where Does Corn Come From?
Corn basically comes from a wild grass plant known as teosinte, which is still growing in Mexico these days. But the Native Americans brought the plant up to the Mississippi River.
How Wide Corn Varieties Are There?
There are six major varieties of corn: dent, flint, flour, pod, sweet, and popcorn.
Which Corn Is Best?
Dent corn, also known as field corn, is the most grown corn worldwide. This corn is not only used to feed livestock but also in certain food products.
Conclusion
In a certain region of the world, maize is also known as corn because both are different names for the same crop. That’s why this question has become common “is there a difference between corn and maize”?. So, the answer is yes. The main corn and maize difference is due to the different languages and words used in different regions of the world. For example, the word maize is used for the crops in the British language, while corn word is used in the American language for the same crops. When it comes to corn versus maize, both are high in Carbs, fats, protein, and phytochemicals, which are essential for health.
