A once-famous, long-lost corn variety returns from the dead

[liuzhou]

It might surprise some that it's me who is posting this, but despite my loathing of c*rn, I am always happy to read stories like this. Whether it's c*rn or anything else, we need to preserve our crops and traditions. Not that I'd eat the wretched stuff, though!

A once-famous, long-lost corn variety returns from the dead - from The Washington Post.

 

 

Edited November 29, 2019 by liuzhou (log)

[Katie Meadow]

On 11/28/2019 at 10:25 PM, liuzhou said:

It might surprise some that it's me who is posting this, but despite my loathing of c*rn, I am always happy to read stories like this. Whether it's c*rn or anything else, we need to preserve our crops and traditions. Not that I'd eat the wretched stuff, though!

A once-famous, long-lost corn variety returns from the dead - from The Washington Post.

 

 

 

Great article. I'm sure it escapes no one that the brothers are Darrell and Manning FARMER. Also at the end is a reference to Greg Johnston, who owns Geechie Boy Mills. That's where I get my grits mail ordered. Next time I order I will look to see if he is actually selling the long lost Cocke's Prolific-- meal or grits grind.

[weinoo]

Great story, and I too have purchased from Geechie Boy Mill (and Carolina Plantation as well) - great stuff.  As an aside, Significant Eater and I really enjoy popcorn. So when I see unusual, or just different popcorn than that which I can buy locally, I try to grab some.

 

 

We were recently in Burlington, VT - that's the stuff in the big jar at the top.  And then when we were in Milwaukee, I found the two jars at bottom at the Milwaukee Public Market.  The labels from each; too bad they don't identify the actual varieties of corn. As can be seen in the bottom right jar, there are some small kernels in there. They pop up nicely, and the texture/taste is quite different than the larger kernels.

 

Edited December 2, 2019 by weinoo (log)

[Katie Meadow]

@weinoo, I too really like good popcorn. I've ordered Geechie Boy's indigo popcorn and it was delicious. Special occasions only--it's pricey!

[rotuts]

@weinoo 

 

what sort of Popping System do you use ?

 

looks li9ke an interesting and tasty hobby

[andiesenji]

So, WHAT is the name of the variety?  The article is blocked unless I pay Washington Post.

If I know the name I cal look for other article that don't hold me up for payment before I can read it.

[liuzhou]

19 minutes ago, andiesenji said:

So, WHAT is the name of the variety?  The article is blocked unless I pay Washington Post.

If I know the name I cal look for other article that don't hold me up for payment before I can read it.

 

It's not blocked to me and I've never paid them a cent.

 

The variety is Cocke's Prolific, as mentioned in the second post.

Edited December 2, 2019 by liuzhou (log)

[chromedome]

Try this:

https://www.heirloomgardener.com/plant-profiles/edible/cockes-prolific-corn-with-a-comeback-story-zm0z19szhoe

 

Argh. That one hits a paywall as well, but not until you're halfway through. Here's another, which doesn't...

 

http://www.thecarolinagoldricefoundation.org/news/2018/4/2/now-it-is-found-the-story-of-cockes-prolific-corn

Edited December 2, 2019 by chromedome (log)

[Katie Meadow]

20 minutes ago, chromedome said:

Try this:

https://www.heirloomgardener.com/plant-profiles/edible/cockes-prolific-corn-with-a-comeback-story-zm0z19szhoe

 

Argh. That one hits a paywall as well, but not until you're halfway through. Here's another, which doesn't...

 

http://www.thecarolinagoldricefoundation.org/news/2018/4/2/now-it-is-found-the-story-of-cockes-prolific-corn

 

Gettin' into the weeds now. Really astonishing that "Cox's" Prolific seeds were on Craigslist and the right people saw it.

[liuzhou]

Another interesting article on a related topic. No paywall.

 

And another. Ditto.

Edited December 3, 2019 by liuzhou (log)

[weinoo]

21 hours ago, rotuts said:

@weinoo 

 

what sort of Popping System do you use ?

 

looks like an interesting and tasty hobby

I'm a stovetop in an old (er) 3 qt. saucepan popper.  It has a glass lid, with a hole for steam to escape, but I also set the lid ajar once the popping starts in earnest.

 

I like to use a mix of either safflower or sunflower seed oil, and butter or duck fat. If butter, I don't add it until those first few kernels pop.  I also salt the kernels before they start popping.