When driving past large cornfields, most of what you see is field corn, also known as dent or feed corn. This variety isn’t grown for direct human consumption but instead feeds livestock and powers industries—think corn syrup, ethanol, or cornstarch. It’s harvested late, when kernels are dry and hard, built more for utility than taste.

In contrast, sweet corn is what you enjoy at barbecues—boiled, grilled, or even raw. It’s picked earlier, with soft, sugary kernels perfect for fresh eating. While field corn is tough and dull, sweet corn is bright, tender, and flavorful.

The two differ genetically as well. Field corn is often GMO-modified for pest resistance and yield, while sweet corn is usually non-GMO and grown on a smaller scale. You can’t eat field corn raw—it must be milled or processed. Sweet corn, however, is ready to eat almost immediately after harvest.

In essence, field corn fuels industries, while sweet corn feeds people directly. Though they come from the same plant family, their uses, flavors, and farming practices are worlds apart. Next time you see a cornfield, remember: not all corn is dinner-ready.