Draygen
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You could argue "ableism" here, but the natural cover being half a buck each and the packaged stuff being $1.25 each means they're upcharging 250% of the original price for the packaged stuff, so no noble stance here.
ahb1020306
The ablism argument about stuff like this is just wrecker bs.
Navrodel
You get to see it before you buy it, it's shucked, washed, and cut for you, and it stacks easier.
Being that much more expensive is a bit much for that level of convenience, but it's definitely some amount of value add - especially as mentioned if the person buying it has some sort of disability (although in that case the packaging mark-up is even more egregious)
SocoFox
Every time I have to open anything in plastic I think about the micro plastic.
delecti
Not even ableism, it's convenience. Don't want to pay more? Then don't. They're giving a really easy choice.
HamSlamwich
One was probably grown within 100 miles, the other was probably shipped across the ocean twice before it got to you.
If you need another reason to buy the unprocessed stuff.
Cardenjs
There are people who will complain about dirty potatoes, you have to fight that hard for stupid peoples money sometimes
linexnewt
Wait until you see the single plastic-wrapped potatoes
YuffieK
stonecoldstevebuschemi
Saturniidae
Prepacked stuff like this does help the disabled community who might have enough dexterity to open packages with scissors but not enough strength to shuck a corncob. Even as someone who occasionally benefit from assistive preparation, it does seem like we way overdo it.
DYLANLEE79
Oooh, you could wrap it in banana leaves. /S
TheAmusedBouche
https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1cjMzd28waGxvZDQ4eDNhdWhzMHc2MDNramVpeHdreDJnYmE1M2d2ZyZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/JGysDEhgE42djLauUU/200w.webp
Poppypoppoppop
Same for fruits, but stores only started to put them in plastic wrapping or plastic bag because people kept poking and damaging the fruits to see if they were fresh. Hence, those customers are to blame for this waste.
PallasCatgirl
Also, the stuff in plastic usually still has husk and silk to be removed (on the underside, where it rests on the styrofoam), at least at my grocery store. Once I learned a good husking technique, I stopped buying the prepared stuff because it was actually MORE work.
JokenPo0079
You're also paying to know that the cob you've got isn't a wrinkled dried up piece of crap. Think of it more like a premium to give you safe of mind, like being able to know that your watermelon will actually have flavor to it, rather than tasting like imitation la croix.
0RocketCat0
The thing is, you don't know if it's fully ripe or, going the other way, rotting on the bottom. There's potential tradeoffs to either choice.
gablestout
All you need to do is peel back the husk a couple of inches. It will tell you everything you need to know. The tip of the ear is a "report card" for the whole ear and is where any problems or failures become visible first. That's conveniently removed on packaged corn cobs. Not to mention, you'll actually end up with fewer hairs after cooking because hand husking corn results in fewer hairs than machine husked corn.
More convenient? Questionably. Premium? Absolutely not.
MadamPuddifoot
Literally pero the husk back a half inch and you know. Microwave to cook and the hairs come right off.
arewenotkingsandqueenstogether
Peel back the husk and poke a kernel. If it squirts, she's a good one.
Draygen
If corn had a shockingly 50% chance of being wrinkled and gross, it would still statistically be cheaper to buy two with the probability that only one of them is gross.
SisyphusRollin
We're talking convenience mixed with visual appeal. That cheaper part will matter to those counting pennies but not to many others who can go "those look good, I don't have to schuck"
Tarmaccian
I will confess I’ve bought them before, for exactly that reason.
It was moving day, and due to unexpected catastrophes, my friends had done far more than the usual schlepping of stuff.
Instead of the usual pizza and beer, we had grilled steak, corn, and beer… and I was not going to spend the time or effort to deal with a husk.
SisyphusRollin
Exactly, its why they stick it above the other corn. Best corn I ever had was a farm in the Valley, could drive up to a little spot and buy big bundles of corn and green beans etc. I used to joke it was so good because 3/4ths of the farm was surrounded by graveyards and it was human fertilized. That being said, at say Albertsons I don't expect MUCH difference between the two types. Depends on the local I guess.
SisyphusRollin
I like either ones, shit sometimes I buy the horrible cut in fourths/frozen little cubes of corn and just instant pot them for 2 minutes if I need to make a shit load. Those are like 50/50 mushy though so maybe not anymore heh.
SocoFox
Pro tip: Peel the outer skin back and look at the tip. That will tell you everything you need to know.
DarkJaeger
I'll just buy my corn, off the cob, bagged and frozen. So much less work.
IWantedOneOfThoseLongUsernamesTooSoIGotOne
But... what if you want to eat it on the cob? It's fun! And delicious.
DarkJaeger
Been there, done that. I'll take the canned variety.
dtallen243
Best summer meal is fresh sweetcorn, seasoned tomatoes, buttermilk biscuits, and salad
Randomice
Oddly enough the Styrofoam may be made from corn as well.
cronkey
It's corn all the way down, baybeee.
BananaForScaIe
Could always wrap the corn in my skin.
WackyWavingInflatableArmFlailingTubman
Wrapped in the skin of your brethren, flayed of your own skin waiting oblivion. Thats pretty metal
KilroyLichking
interestingly the corn is also made of corn the whole thing is on a cob
theobstruction
https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1YnE4aWJseWZnMWgyams3Z2l4ZjlmYnExdnk2M254dnZmcXoxOWhtZSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/IGY0RFXGT0E2ccxCga/200w.webp
Fairemont
You got anything that backs up that bold claim?
chewmaca2
They all need more corn syrup
rolliefingers
ableism lol
clhigh29
And once you remove the natural cover, the corn loses its sweetness and changes to starch.
vitfall
/gallery/wvnRhIN
KilroyLichking
one of these is fresh corn the other is frozen corn from a previous season and or shipped in from much farther away
Camelspotting
When I worked at Safeway we definitely just pulled some off the floor and wrapped it up.
waheliod
Yes. We did, I started at 38th safeway in produce tacoma. Wa, I was apart of the first cut fruit team, se pull if off the floor or from out back room stocks.. frozen corn? Its precut for ease, some people have arthritis, or want a quick solution, you pay for convenience,
andwings2go
Yup!
I always buy fresh corn when it’s in season. Then immediately forget I bought some and throw it away 2 weeks later.
VolcanoHerder
https://media0.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPWE1NzM3M2U1eHk0ODNqNTYwcXVhb2F3MnJpdHpxZWl4ajF6M2F0Njd4N3B5bmNnMSZlcD12MV9naWZzX3NlYXJjaCZjdD1n/ukCFEU6Cg5MCCDoaVN/200w.webp
Athol
Y-you don't just cook it that night? Maybe I'm spoiled from living on the edge of farm land, but when it's in season fresh corn is bought the day I intend to eat it.
TheDoctorCrankenstein
Unfortunately, many people live far away from stores, thanks to stupid car dependency, so meals have to be planned ahead for the whole week or more. Unfortunately, this inevitably creates a time gap between purchasing and using where things get forgotten.
Draygen
I have this discussion with my wife frequently. She insists on doing the shopping once a week, but we live a few minutes drive from the grocery store. I could get everything, bring it home, and cook it the day I buy it. She has repeatedly declined.
TheDoctorCrankenstein
Still sucks you have to drive it, and that's the sticker for most people. Driving and dealing with traffic sucks, plus the gas burned and miles put on the vehicle is an extra expense. This is why most opt for doing a weekly trip.
This wouldn't be a problem if people could just walk to their local grocer or use public transit like a civilized nation.
CallMeCourierSix
No. It's not. When corn is frozen, it alters the texture. Roasting a frozen corn cob would be nasty.
This is the store realizing they can upcharge massively for the labor of removing the leaves and silk. And people will buy it. Same reason they now sell chopped onion, diced tomatoes, cut bell peppers, and other things in clamshells. Because no one wants to take the time to do the prep work at home.
JovanD
Isnt the packaged corn already cooked?
waheliod
Not really, if you old, sickly, lazy, want a quick thing with no mess, you pay for convenience. Buy the cheap corn. Fine, people will buy and pay for with there own money from there own life's, cause you think its a rip off, doesnt mean it doesnt have value. Its another option.
CallMeCourierSix
It is a ripoff. Not because it's more expensive. But because it's WAY FUCKING MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT SHOULD BE.
10-15 seconds extra per ear of corn, plus running it through a packaging machine. And it's an upcharge of 150%. That's fucking robbery.
Poopette
capitalism* turns out enough people will pay for it to justify the process and still turn over positive sales for some reason.
CallMeCourierSix
*turns out the store can fuck over the disadvantaged, like the elderly and the disabled, and get away with it.
Fixed it for you.
abirduphigh
This. I used to manage a produce department and we followed the same model.
freshthrowaway1138
While I'm not a supporter of excess plastic use, it should be noted that plastic wrapping and styrofoam can extend the life of most produce. Yeah, if you're doing high turnover products it might seem like a waste, for everything from bananas to corn, if you wrap it then it maintains humidity, temperature, and chemical exposures under control. Which means it can go from a few days to a few weeks.
EricAirheart
I like the husks of the corn. I pull them back, season the corn, put husk back, cook. Turns out so much better than foil.
VaxxedCanadian
That's why God gave corn foreskins.
thebonesofmyancestors
cornskins?
Draygen
I straight up throw them as is into the oven. no need to use any other material. corn is perfectly steamed and the husk keeps it warm until i'm ready for it!
etopsirhc
i half agree with that, over some nice hot coals for me, adds a nice smokey note.
justpullnpray
It's a good practice to soak the corn in a pot of water for at least 15 minutes before you do that.
yamsonyamsonyams
I have never soaked corn? I usually just slather it in garlic butter, wrap jt in tinfoil, grill thst shit
I’ll try re-husking it… do all those hairs come off when you cook it?
gablestout
I toss 'em on the edges of the grill around the meat. Perfect every time
beeeeeeerkaaaaa
Microwave for 4 minutes. Husk and silk peels right off.
BrengKapiteinKoekTerug
Just put them in the AC hot air exhaust for 4 hours and your good.
beeeeeeerkaaaaa
I don't live in the south. I'm not cooking hick style.
Oblok
IMHO: I've had both, the corn in husks is highly variable (some good, some rotted/foul). The packaged corn, if not wrinkled, is always nice.
Draygen
Not for a 150% upcharge it's not, lol
gablestout
No you not peel back your husks to inspect the corn first? I never buy husked corn without checking, and I've never gotten home and ended up with a bad ear
Hawkgirl203
the packaged corn has to be eaten within a day or two. Any longer than that and it gets a slimy film. The grocery store near me offers fresh packaged vegetables that the best used by date is the day you are buying them. You have to dig behind all the packaged sugar snap peas (the only way they sell them) to find a package that at least gives you two days to eat them. Even then you have to shake the package to see if there are moldy ones inside. I thought buying fresh sliced bakery bread was safe
Hawkgirl203
Nope. I got home and went to make some toast and noticed there were green splotches on the white part of the bread that wasn’t visible when they packaged it after slicing. A few days later same thing again. Gotta love Stop & shop. I throw out about 10-15 dollars worth of food every week within 1 hour of buying it.
VolcanoHerder
Sometimes this is done when there are corn worms. They're a common pest that tends to eat the tip of the corn. So if they know it impacted a crop they'll husk them and cut off the gross tip part so that the rest of the corn isn't wasted.
No idea what percentage of the time that happens, and it may only be with organically grown corn.
Draygen
So a +150% markup to sell wormy corn
VolcanoHerder
Well there is a lot more labor involved to process them into a "ready to eat" state so that will cost more.
It's like how pre-cut fruit is more than if you just bought the fruit and did it yourself. Same with pre-ground coffee vs whole beans.
Plus there's packaging at play here which costs more than just grabbing ears of corn with the husks and taking them straight to market.
The more work that has to be done, the more expensive it is.
VolcanoHerder
You can make whatever argument you want about what we *should* be doing, but everything about that photo makes sense. No one will buy corn with worms, would you rather they throw it away instead of process it? The part without the worms is completely fine to eat. Or would you prefer more aggressive pesticides to kill all the worms?
Californiajackson
So we grow the corn organically, then have to pollute the environment making styrofiam and plastic wrap to sell the edible portion. Life is a no win situation.
VolcanoHerder
Yup. Apparently (I haven't read the studies but I've heard it multiple places) we engineered a wasp to kill cabbage moth caterpillars so we could grow organic kale, but believe it or not those wasps can fly to other places and they also kill other caterpillars and I've been fighting them off my 'almost endangered' monarch babies for weeks.
Coincidentally, right next to my corn patch - waiting to see if we get corn worms, but growing truly organically here regardless.
VolcanoHerder
Though thus far the biggest pest for my corn has been this little cutie using it as a litter box and throwing the soil around so the seeds didn't germinate evenly. I mulched it and she's stopped thankfully. Here she is stealing my morning coffee spot today.
Californiajackson
Guess you're sharing the sunshine this morning.
nooganfreisen
@traderjoes
HumanFromPlanetEarth
CORN!
KaJuN
It has the juice!
Draygen
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ianrl337
Here a store sells by the lb, but they leave the husks. All the time people remove the husks right there in the store to save a few pennies and leave the husks everywhere.
somnif
My local places always keep a large garbage bin next to the in-husk corn
Draygen
Lol, that's why places here charge by the each! Big corn, little corn, they're two damned quarters!
BestUsernameICouldThinkOf
A quarter each here, but they leave a garbage can by the corn for people who want to husk it there. And you should always at least pull back the husks to check the corn. Never know when there's going to be a worm or fungus.
Draygen
Yeah, it's usually a quarter here, too, but that's at Wal-Mart. The non-megacorp place charges more, but I gladly pay an extra quarter to not give the Waltons more money to not pay their employees with.
ianrl337
yep, I avoided them like the plague until the all the other options like Safeway and Fred Meyer's ended up actually being worse.