When is corn technically classified as a vegetable rather than a cereal grain based on its stage of harvest?
Answer
When harvested soft and juicy
The classification of corn is dynamic and depends entirely on its maturity level at harvest. When corn kernels are harvested while they are still soft, sweet, and moist, they are botanically and culinarily treated as a vegetable, suitable for eating fresh on the cob or incorporating into salads. Conversely, when the kernels are allowed to fully dry out and mature, the starch content solidifies, and the corn is then classified as a cereal grain, used for making flour, meal, or livestock feed.
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