Let's Eat Seasonal Corn in Niseko
The beginning of August signifies the start of peak corn season, and some of Hokkaido's corn crops are the best in the world.
The sight of fields of corn, leaves fluttering in the breeze is a quintessential view in the Niseko area. The rich pastures of the region produce sensational corn, tightly packed, high in sugar content and most importantly, taste!
A World of Variety
Niseko farms grow many different types of corn, each with different appearances, colours, flavours and textures to be enjoyed in different ways. Some of these varieties are:
Sunny Chocolate Corn - Also called 'fruit corn', this very sugary corn can be eaten raw.
Delicious - Fruity and, as the name suggests, rich in flavour. Delicious corn is soft, fresh, easy to eat and great to include in a salad.
Big - This variety of corn is jumbo-sized, with one cob often weighing up to 500 grams (1.3 - 1.5 times the weight of normal corn). With a high natural sugar content, Big corn is also big on taste.
White Chocolate - A pure white, sweet corn with a strong flavour. This is an insta-worthy variety of corn with a grain that is even to the tip and looks beautiful.
Loyce corn - A milky flavoured corn characterized by a thick sweetness.
Snow Fairy - A rare breed variety, Snow Fairy Corn is pure white like Niseko snow, and its colour does not change even when boiled.
Pure White - Glossy white grains that contain a lot of water, so you can enjoy a juicy taste and texture.
Fresh is Best
Corn is best enjoyed fresh. To keep the moisture in the corn, leave one or two pieces of the outer skin on as you boil. Add plenty of water and some salt to a pot and boil for 10-12 minutes. To save after boiling, wrap in the discarded skin and refrigerate. Corn should keep for 2 to 3 days.
Corn is also a great product for the summer barbecue and can be used as a delicious ingredient within croquettes, soups, ramen and even mixed with butter.
Where to Get It
The best time to eat corn is from the beginning of August to the end of September and the supermarkets are well-stocked with it. You can also buy directly from the farmers market at Niseko View or at one of Hokkaido's many 'michi-no-eki' roadside stations.
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Find out where to go fruit picking in Hokkaido this summer.
