What are the differences between the various types of sweet corn?
Standard (su), supersweet (sh2), and sugar-enhanced (se) are the three major types of sweet corn. They differ in sweetness, keeping quality and seed vigor. Standard sweet corn varieties possess the traditional sweet corn flavor and texture. Unfortunately, the ears of standard sweet corn varieties retain their quality for only one or two days in the garden. Also, standard sweet corn varieties don’t store well as the sugar is quickly converted to starch. Supersweet or shrunken-2 sweet corn contains up to twice the amount of sugar as standard varieties. (The common name shrunken-2 is derived from the shrunken or wrinkled appearance of the dry kernels.) Also, the conversion of sugar to starch occurs at a much slower rate. As a result, supersweet varieties may be harvested and stored over a longer time period. Supersweet varieties, however, do have some drawbacks. Yields of supersweet varieties are generally lower than standard sweet corn. Also, the seeds of shrunken-2 varieties are smaller
