You care because fresh corn is a celebration. It’s summer on a plate. When you eat old corn, you’re eating a shadow of the joy it could have been. Don’t you deserve the full joy?
Also, corn is expensive now. Really expensive. The last thing you want is to pay $6 for a bag of corn and then throw half of it away because it went tough. That’s like paying for a movie and falling asleep in the first five minutes.
I’ll end with this little story: My grandmother always said, “Corn knows when you’re lying.” She meant you can’t pretend it’s fresh. It will tell on you. So respect the clock. Buy it, love it, eat it fast. And if you can’t, embrace the frozen or cooked life. Your taste buds—and your wallet—will thank you.
Now go forth. Shuck that corn. Today. Your dinner is waiting.
