Maize (Corn) (Zea mays)
The main types of maize are:
- Dent corn. The most grown type in the world. The dry kernels have a dent in their top, because they are hard around the edges but soft in the middle.
- Flint corn. The kernels are mostly hard starch and often have a glass-like appearance. Most older varieties in Europe and northern North America are flint corn.
- Flour corn. The dry kernels consist entirely of soft starch and therefore they are soft and have a chalk-like appearance inside.
- Popcorn. The kernels consist almost entirely of hard starch and have a glass-like appearance.
- Sweetcorn. Harvested at the milk stage to be eaten as a vegetable.