On the hunt for the sweetest corn variety.
I’ve tried honey and pearl and it doesn’t add up to what i remember being the best that I’ve ever had.
Once upon a time, there was this white sweet corn that they sold in grocery stores. It was so good, my entire community was talking about it. I was really young at the time, no one thought to save seeds.
Can’t find it anywhere anymore.
Are syn/sh hybrids sweeter or is the sh2 the sweetest? 
What’s your favorite sweet corn?
the white sweet corn i remember everyone raving over was Atlantic. my grandparents were one of the 1st. in town to grow it. it had huge ears on 8ft stalks and it was a late ripening corn. this was 40-45 yrs ago so i dont even know if seed for it is available anymore. i remember hilling the rows with composted chic. manure with my grandfather.
Silver queen is pretty tasty
Incredible,Obsession, Ambrosia. (too sweet for me).
I like Silver King myself and Kandy Korn.
I grew Honey Select and Kandy Korn last year and to me i thought Kandy Korn was better…
If you are hunting a white se2 type hybrid this might be what you are after HYBRID SWEET CORN, 3572 VX XTRA-TENDER . Disease resistance is much higher and it is a 70 day type corn. I would stick with open pollinated types myself like silver queen. These super sweet hybrids i mentioned really can cause a lot more extra sugar intake than you would ever guess. The OP types taste more like corn and less like sugar. That hybrid type is called resolve https://www.growingproduce.com/vegetables/12-sweet-corn-varieties-for-growers-that-are-sweeter-and-hardier-than-ever/#slide=148840-148839-9
So you may be wondering how it all works. The document and link will help
corn-sweet-types-comparison-chart.pdf (329.9 KB)
" SWEET CORN TYPES – WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
Double Standard
Sugar Buns
Latte
Look for the following to the right of each variety name: (su), (se) (se+),
(syn), and (sh2).
Normal Sugary (su).
Sugars convert to starch rapidly after picking. Old-fashioned corn flavor.
289G Double Standard
Sugary Enhanced (se) and (se+).
A four-gene trait that modifies the (su) or (sh2) gene. The result is
increased tenderness and sweetness. Conversion of sugar to starch after
picking is slowed. Isolate from (sh2) and dry/pop corn. (se) varieties have
the traits from both parents and hence are “homozygous se”; (se+) varieties
are hybrids between two (se) parents, or “fully sugary enhanced,” and are
sweeter.
267 or 267T Sugar Buns
Synergistic (syn).
Each synergistic ear has 75% (se) kernels and 25% (sh2) kernels. The sweet
taste blends (se) tenderness with (sh2) crispness. Allow kernels to get plump
before picking. Isolate from (sh2) and dry/pop corn.
3894G or 3894 Allure
4128 or 4128T Essence
3363T or 3363 Illusion
4456, 4456R, or 4456T Latte
2761 or 2761T Montauk
4772 or 4772R Quick Start
3413 or 3413T Temptress
SUPER SWEET
Shrunken 2 (sh2).
This gene results in heightened sweetness and slowest conversion to
starch after harvest. The abbreviation “sh2” refers to “shrunken,” the
appearance of the seeds (dry kernels). Isolate from all other corn types.
NEW 5253 Bolt XR
NEW 5090 Eden RMN
4766 or 4766R Inspiration
3345, 3345R, or 3345T Kickoff
3590G or 3590RG Natural Sweet
4117 or 4117T Signature XR
4355 or 4355R Solstice
4459 or 4459T Superb MXR
4457 or 4457T Tempo XR
6036, 6036R, or 6073T Vision MXR"
Note : Eden is one of the latest
I’m not suggesting making hybrids is hard. It is very easy to develop your own unstable type hybrids. It can be done in one or two seasons
https://www.farmprogress.com/corn/hybrid-seed-corn-basics
Corn is popular https://blog.jungseed.com/growing-sweet-corn/
"
One of the highlights of summer is eating fresh sweet corn. Sweet corn hybridizers are constantly striving to develop varieties with improved flavor, seed germination, holding ability, and other desirable characteristics.
Varieties of sweet corn are classified based on the type of sweetness genes they contain. The special characteristics of each class of sweet corn will appeal to different growers for different reasons. Different sweetness genes provide different levels of sweetness and flavor to each kernel, and each type has some specific isolation requirements to ensure high quality and flavor. Isolation can be achieved by physical space or by staggering planting times. Here are basic descriptions of all the different types.
These are the old-fashioned corn varieties that have a limited shelf life. You have to pick them and eat them right away or their sugar will be converted to starch. (Note that freezing stops the conversion process, so freezing right after picking will prevent sugar loss). They offer traditional corn flavor, but the old saying about having the water boiling before you pick sweet corn is quite apt when growing su sweet corn. Backyard and hobby growers love su sweet corn for it’s “down-home”, classic sweet corn flavor.
Sugary enhanced varieties have increased sweetness compared to normal Sugary types. Because sugar levels are higher than su varieties, the sugar is more stable and kernels retain their sweetness longer than su types. These se and se+ varieties also have more of a “corn” flavor than sh2 types and the kernels have a creamier texture than sh2 types. Because the kernels are softer and more tender they are more apt to bruising when picked. Handle with more care during harvest to prevent serious damage. Farmers’ market growers and backyard growers appreciate the longer lasting sweetness combined with their classic corn flavor of the sugary enhanced types. Many se varieties offer the lowest number of days to maturity as well.
Supersweet varieties contain the “shrunken” (sh2) gene that increases sugar levels and greatly slows the conversion of sugar to starch. These varieties have the sweetest flavor and the longest shelf life of any type of sweet corn. Supersweet ears have kernels that are crisp and juicy in texture. All types of growers can take advantage of sh2 varieties, but rules for planting are a bit different.
Because they contain so much sugar and so little starch, the seed of sh2 varieties is smaller than the seed of other types of sweet corn, and it appears wrinkled and shrunken, hence the name. Because of the reduced carbohydrates within each seed, their reserves to fuel germination is lessened. As mentioned, these sh2 varieties should be planted only when soil temperatures have warmed to at least 60° F and at a shallower depth, to ensure positive results.
SSW, or SuperSeedWare, varieties are a new, patented type of sh2 corn that provides all the eating quality benefits of sh2 without the poor germination and seedling vigor. Essentially, the SSW varieties switch off the sh2 genes as the kernels dry, resulting in fuller, less shrunken kernels that germinate better even with cool soil temperatures.
Synergistics are also newer varieties that combine both supersweet (sh2) and sugary enhanced (se) kernels in every ear. This provides the benefit of improved sweetness and shelf life combined with the flavor and tenderness of sugary enhanced genes. Usually, 25% of the kernels are supersweet and 75% are sugary enhanced, though this can vary among varieties.
Augmented types are similar to synergistic varieties, as they contain both sh2 and se kernels. Unlike synergistic types, all the kernels on the ears contain both sh2 and se genes. This gives them the sweetness of supersweet varieties combined with the tender texture and good flavor of sugary enhanced types.
All of these more modern hybrids have excellent flavor and texture qualities enjoyed by all kinds of growers. Some offer good cold soil germinations while others perform better with warmer conditions, but there are so many good options, look for the one that best suits your needs.
To grow the best quality sweet corn, there are some basics you should know about sweet corn pollination. Planting the wrong types of corn together can result in tough, starchy kernels instead of the expected sweet, tender ears.
First, all types of sweet corn need isolation from all types of field corn, ornamental corn, and popcorn to avoid starchy kernels and poor flavor.
Normal (su) and sugary enhanced (se and se+) varieties can be grown side by side, without isolation. You can also plant more than one su variety or more than one se variety without isolation.
Supersweet (sh2) varieties should be isolated from all types of sweet corn other than augmented varieties. You can plant more than one sh2 variety side by side, and SSW varieties can be grown with supersweet varieties without a problem.
Synergistic (sh2 / se) varieties should be isolated from supersweet (sh2) varieties and other synergistic varieties.
Augmented (sh2 + se) varieties need isolation from all except sh2 types and other augmented varieties.
Isolation can be accomplished either through spacing or through timing. In garden settings, space non-compatible varieties at least 25 feet from other corns in the garden. For larger plantings (acre-sized and larger), isolate incompatible varieties by at least 200 feet. For fields larger than 20 ac. 8 to 16 border rows may be removed at harvest, to ensure the best quality from the rest of the field. In general, larger isolation distances are beneficial and help to ensure there is no unwanted cross-pollination.
Isolation can also be accomplished in time by planting varieties that mature 14 days or more apart. This helps to ensure that no pollen from incompatible varieties is present while another variety is producing silks.
All sweet corn requires warm soil temperatures for good germination. For all types other than supersweet (sh2) varieties, the soil should be at least 55 degrees F before planting to ensure good germination. For untreated supersweet (sh2) seed, plant only after soils reach 65 to 70 degrees F. Treated supersweet (sh2) seed can be planted once the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees F, but as mentioned, planting depth should be ½ to 1 in. shallower in most soils."
@clarkinks i myself like to grow my own… i havent however enjoyed trying different ones year after year chasing the dream. I had some of these at a friends house and i gotta say they were delicious.
But if im being honest… whatever plain corn was used to make Mexican Street Corn was THE best corn i have had in my life. I had it from a food truck in Houston TX.
With that being said i have really enjoyed some grilled Hickory King as well. Not the sweetest but i enjoy the texture and flavor.
Are SSW Corn Varieties GMO?
No, SSW is not GMO.
Melon, look up Mirai sweet corn. fyi, it is an augmented variety.
For others interested in learning about sweet corn, Harris and Crookham are arguably the largest seed producers currently in business. Read their info for details on sweet corn.
Both Crookham and Harris have stopped selling Mirai. I don’t believe any US seed suppliers are selling Mirai this year. It was available last year, but several seed suppliers suggest that it has been too difficult (and expensive) to maintain the strain.
Country Gentleman is an older variety with a combination of the “shoepeg” trait plus the su gene for sweet kernels. Corn kernels on most corn today develop in rows where each kernel sits in a “cup” which develops on the cob. Each “cup” actually is paired where only one cup forms a kernel and the other atrophies. Shoepeg types develop a kernel in each of the pair of cups. As a result, kernels are crowded on the cob giving the typical shoepeg phenotype. It is problematic when combined with other genes for sweeter corn. For example, combine shoepeg with se (chromosome 2) and su (chromosome 4) and you get a sugar enhanced shoepeg corn but with a fatal flaw that kernels split open in the final stage of maturing. I’ve been working on this for about 10 years and have a variety that combines all 3 genes but does not split excessively. I doubt it will ever be economically viable, but I enjoy breeding plants and corn is super easy to work with.
Pairs of shoepeg kernels always face each other. In other words, the germ portion of the kernel faces the germ of the paired kernel. In ordinary corn, all the germs are facing the same direction.
I tried lots of varieties including many of the super sweets back when I grew corn.
But once we tried Ambrosia …we were done shopping around. Grew it only for many years.
To us… the perfect blend of really good corn flavor and sweetness.
With most of the super sweets… you get more sweetness… but far less corn flavor.
I dont care much for sweet only in any kind of fruit or veggie. Got to have some good flavor.
This is what Ambrosia looked like.
Often get two good ears per stalk.
TNHunter
Well, the author seems to be looking for sugar. I’m guessing that high sugar in corn is not unhealthy because the sugar is locked into the fiber scaffolding of the seed creating a kind of timed release instead of a sudden sugar spike in your blood. However, my palate is in total agreement with you that highest sugar corn overwhelms the corn taste. I also like growing sweet corn from my own seed.
The first extra sweet corn widely released to home growers was Illinois Extra sweet about half a century ago, which I loved when I first ate it from the garden I tended then at my father’s house. However, to my palate, once sugar corn was available everywhere, embraced by the food industry because it remains sweet until it rots, it lost its charm by being all that was available except at some farm markets.
When I first came to NYC over 40 years ago I would seek out Amish stands at the farmer’s markets there. All they sold was corn from open pollinated seeds they saved themselves. Now I grow my own vegetables with some of the same mentality.
My Father-In-Law grows Kandy Korn. He has tried several different seeds over the years but always reverts back to KK.
I’ll have to second the flavor of Ambrosia.
After spending the better part of 25 years growing and eating Incredible and Bodacious, Ambrosia seems to have a more balanced flavor. I switched varieties this past season out of necessity due to a problem in the area with corn smut. The field corn in the area became infested in the last couple of years and this seemed to have found my sweet corn. My crop of Incredible got hit hard last year despite crop rotation, etc. Instead of freezing my usual 50+ qts I wound up with about half that. Ambrosia, depending on where the information came from was supposed to be smut resistant. This season I did have a few stalks with problems, but nowhere near the infestation as before.
Having said all of that, I was pleasantly surprised by the balanced flavor of Ambrosia compared to the flavor of Incredible and Bodacious that tends to be unbalanced on the sweet side of the flavor spectrum. My corn goes straight from the stalk to the kettle and does not sit around.
Thank you so much for this write up!
Yes, Alan is right. I’m looking for more sweet with a hint of corn 
Honey and pearl had more corn with a hint of sweet.
The white variety i remembered had a light but strong corn taste and was very sugary. I plan on getting 3 other varieties to put in each corner of the new home so thank you, everyone, for all the suggestions! I’ve been looking up every variety that’s been suggested so far.
Yeah i just saw this while looking for them 
Some are too sweet of our liking. Honey -n Pearl is what we grow, It’s a sh2 hybrid. As a matter of fact. Honey -n Pearl is the only hybrid we grow in the garden. All the rest of the veggies are open pollinated
Do we know if that’s an sh2 hybrid? Doesn’t say in the website
