Corncob

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Central core of corn ear

title: "Corncob" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["maize"] description: "Central core of corn ear" topic_path: "general/maize" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corncob" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Central core of corn ear ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/6925Corncobs_in_the_Philippines_Putok_na_Bigas_33.jpg" caption="issn=2311-5637}}"] ::

The cob is not toxic to humans and can be digested, but the outside is rough and practically inedible in its original form. The foamy pith has a peculiar texture when mature and is completely bland, which most people would find unappealing, due to the consistency similar to foam plastic.

However, during several instances of famine (especially in European countries throughout history), people have been known to eat the corncobs, especially the foamy middle part. Dried and ground corncobs have a high fiber content and thus can be used in dietary supplements. Corn cob powder can also be mixed with flour to improve the nutritional quality of baked goods.

Corncobs are used as biofuel, as they are an efficient, cheap and an environmentally friendly source of heat when burned, so they were traditionally used for roasting meat on the spit, barbecuing and heating the bread ovens, through the centuries. It has been used for its long and steady burning embers, making is suitable for use in ember irons.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Pannocchia_sgranata.jpg" caption="A corncob with attached [[corn kernel]]s"] ::

When harvesting corn, the corncob may be collected as part of the ear (necessary for corn on the cob), or instead may be left as part of the corn stover in the field, which may improve soil quality.

Uses

Agricultural

  • Bedding for animals — cobs absorb moisture and provide a compliant surface
  • Fiber in fodder for ruminant livestock (despite low nutritional value)
  • Diluent/carrier/filler material in animal health products, agro-chemicals, veterinary formulations, vitamin premixes, pharmaceuticals, etc.
  • Soil conditioner, water retainer in horticulture

Culinary

Corncobs are not frequently consumed after the corn has matured. Young ears of corn are harvested while the cob is still tender and are eaten whole. Baby corn is common in stir fries and Thai cuisine. The cob can still be used for cooking, after the corn has matured:

  • Corn cobs are used to flavor stock.
  • Corn milk is made utilizing whole ears of corn.

Pest control

Industrial

  • Industrial source of the chemical furfural
  • Absorbent media for safe disposal of liquid and solid effluents

Other products

  • Ground up and washed (then re-dried) to make cat litter
  • A mild abrasive for cleaning building surfaces, when coarsely ground
  • Bowl material for corncob pipes
  • As a biofuel
  • Charcoal production
  • Anal hygiene
  • The body of a doll

References

References

  1. (December 2022). "A New Insight into the Composition and Physical Characteristics of Corncob—Substantiating Its Potential for Tailored Biorefinery Objectives". Fermentation.
  2. (2020-07-30). "Maize cob as dietary fiber source for high-fiber biscuit Primary tabs". GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
  3. (May 2023). "Nutritional, functional, and ethno-medical properties of sweet corn cob: a concurrent review". International Journal of Food Science & Technology.
  4. (2017-01-02). "Energy efficiency analysis of corn cob used as a fuel". Energy Sources, Part B: Economics, Planning, and Policy.
  5. "Corn Cobs on the Job".
  6. "Corn Cob Powder".
  7. Coelho, Steph. "Baby corn, explained: What it is and where it comes from".
  8. Hunt, Tom. (2022-08-13). "How to turn spent corn cobs into stock – recipe". The Guardian.
  9. Nguyen, Andrea. (2023-09-21). "Vietnamese Corn Milk Recipe (Sua Bap)".
  10. "Corncob briquette: Students in Somalia discover alternative to charcoal". aa.com.tr.
  11. Ruane, Michael E.. (18 Mar 2020). "Toilet paper takes center stage amid coronavirus outbreak. Be thankful we no longer use corn cobs and rope ends.". [[The Washington Post]].
  12. Zeltwanger, Alicia. (2018-12-07). "Make Your Own Corn Cob Dolls DIY".
  13. Engineers, N.B.C.. (2006). "Wheat, Rice, Corn, Oat, Barley and Sorghum Processing Handbook (Cereal Food Technology)". Asia Pacific Business Press.
  14. Aston, Andrew. (November 14, 2010). "Bedding For Laboratory Animals". [[ALN Magazine]].
  15. (1907). "Tobacco Leaf".
  16. (January 31, 2014). "Corn Cobs for Biofuel Production". [[Cooperative Extension System]].

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

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