Core Insights - Fresh sweet corn has gained popularity as a staple food due to its sweet and tender taste, with a variety of products available in supermarkets, including vacuum-packed and frozen corn [1] Group 1: Consumer Preferences - Fresh sweet corn is widely favored by consumers as a healthy and low-calorie food option, often incorporated into meals, especially for families with children [2][4] - Sales of pre-packaged fresh corn have seen significant growth, with a reported increase of over 30% in sales volume since October [4] Group 2: Nutritional Benefits - Fresh sweet corn contains lower calories compared to refined grains, with approximately 90 to 110 calories per 100 grams, and is high in dietary fiber, making it a suitable option for weight loss diets [7] - New varieties of sweet corn are being developed to meet consumer demands, with some having higher soluble sugar or protein content, and others enriched with folic acid and anthocyanins [7] Group 3: Preservation Techniques - The preservation of fresh sweet corn is crucial for year-round supply, utilizing rapid low-temperature treatment and other methods to maintain freshness and nutritional value [5][7] - Frozen storage effectively inhibits the metabolism and respiration of sweet corn, preserving sugar and starch content, with minimal nutrient loss observed even after two months of freezing [8][10] - Advanced processing techniques, such as vacuum packaging and high-temperature sterilization, extend the shelf life of processed corn to 8 months to a year without the use of preservatives [10]

Core Insights - The article discusses the rising popularity of corn as a healthy staple food, particularly processed corn products like vacuum-packed corn, which have longer shelf lives compared to fresh corn [1][5]. Group 1: Market Trends - Corn has gained popularity due to its health benefits and low-fat characteristics, leading to an increase in processed corn products in supermarkets [1]. - Processed corn products, such as vacuum-packed corn, can have shelf lives of 6 to 12 months, making them a convenient option for consumers [3][5]. Group 2: Consumer Perspectives - Consumers have mixed feelings about processed corn; some appreciate the convenience and longer shelf life, while others express concerns about freshness and potential preservatives [5][7]. - A consumer highlighted that the convenience of vacuum-packed corn is particularly beneficial for busy households, despite its higher price [5]. Group 3: Nutritional Value - Experts indicate that vacuum corn retains about 80% of its core nutritional value, including proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fibers, despite some loss of water-soluble vitamins during processing [8]. - The processing method involves careful selection of corn, high-temperature blanching, and vacuum sealing, which helps preserve the nutritional quality [7][8]. Group 4: Selection Tips - Consumers are advised to choose vacuum-packed corn products by checking for intact packaging, verifying production dates, and ensuring the product has a bright color and full kernels [9][10].