Corncob



A corncob, also called corn cob, cob of corn, or corn on the cob, is the central core of an ear of maize (also known as corn). It is the part of the ear on which the kernels grow. The ear is also considered a "cob" or "pole" but it is not fully a "pole" until the ear is shucked, or removed from the plant material around the ear. It is also the green husk that goes outside the corn.

Young ears, also called baby corn, can be consumed raw, but as the plant matures, the cob becomes tougher until only the kernels are truly edible. However, during several instances of famine (especially in European countries throughout history), people have been known to eat the corncobs, especially the foamy middle part. The whole cob or just the middle used to be ground and mixed with whatever type of flour was available (usually wheat or corn flour). It served as a sort of peculiar "filler", to extend the quantity of the original flour and as such, it was used even in production of bread.

Containing mainly cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, corncob is not toxic to humans and can be digested, but the outside is rough and practically inedible in its original form. The foamy part has a peculiar texture when mature and is completely bland, which most people would find unappealing, due to the consistency similar to foam plastic.

Corncobs are a particularly good source of heat when burned, so they were traditionally used for roasting meat on the spit, barbecuing and heating the bread ovens, through the centuries. In the olden days, it was especially appreciated for its long and steady burning embers, also used for the ember irons.

When harvesting corn, the corncob may be collected as part of the ear (necessary for corn on the cob), or instead may be left as part of the corn stover in the field.

Uses
Corncobs find use in the following applications: Other applications include:
 * Industrial source of the chemical furfural
 * Fiber in fodder for ruminant livestock (despite low nutritional value)
 * Bedding for animals — cobs absorb moisture and provide a compliant surface
 * Ground up and washed (then re-dried) to make cat litter
 * A mild abrasive for cleaning building surfaces, when coarsely ground
 * Corncob-pipe.jpg material for bowls of corncob pipes
 * As a biofuel
 * Charcoal production
 * Environmentally-friendly rodenticide (powdered corn cob)
 * Soil conditioner, water retainer in horticulture
 * Absorbent media for safe disposal of liquid and solid effluents
 * Diluent/carrier/filler material in animal health products, agro-chemicals, veterinary formulations, vitamin premixes, pharmaceuticals, etc.
 * Xylose — a sweetener
 * Anal hygiene
 * The body of a doll