The Secret to Picking the Best Corn on the Cob at the Market Here's how to spot the sweetest ears. Close Credit: KenWiedemann / Getty Images Shopping for corn shouldn’t be stressful, but there's no letdown like shucking a piece of corn on the cob only to find an interior of withered, shriveled kernels—especially when there is a late-summer barbecue or seafood boil underway! To help you avoid such disappointment, we turned to food industry experts to learn the secrets to choosing the best corn on the cob at the grocery store or farmer's market. Here’s how the experts shop for the best corn in the bunch. Ann Ahmed, owner of Minnesota's Kamma Hospitality Sungchul Shim, chef at Gui Steakhouse in New York City Dale Talde, chef at Goosefeather in Tarrytown, New York How to Choose a Ripe Cantaloupe, Watermelon, or Honeydew 01 of 04 Look for Visual Cues Be on the lookout for some visual indicators that a piece of corn is a good pick. According to Ann Ahmed, Owner of Minnesota’s Kamma Hospitality, says to look for bright green husks that are snug to the cob and silks that are still moist. You'll want to avoid any corn with dried-out, browning husks or silks that are more hay-like than soft string. 02 of 04 Use an Auditory Trick To ensure the kernels are fresh, New York City-based chef Sungchul Shim uses an auditory cue: "Hold it up to your ear and press gently," he says. "If it squeaks, it’s fresh." Sure, it may look a bit silly—but won't it be worth it when you're biting into that juicy, sweet corn? 03 of 04 Go Husk-Heavy Husks are a natural part of the corn to keep it moist and fresh. Choose corn that's well-protected. Many supermarkets also have an area next to the corn for shoppers to shuck and toss away husks to keep the mess out of their kitchens. It's best to bypass that unless you’re headed straight for the grill. Don't toss those husks! Corn husks can also be great to grill the corn in if you prefer the charred, smoky flavor, or used for wrapping other vegetables or proteins on the grill. 04 of 04 Look for Its Origins "For the sweetest corn, farmer's markets are the best, always," says professional chef Dale Talde. This is because the sooner you eat your corn, the better. The locally grown produce typically found at farmers markets can make it on your plate in fewer steps. If you’re at a supermarket, pay attention to where the corn came from. Is it sourced from a local farm? Or is the corn imported, likely harvested weeks ago or even longer before that? Opt for corn sourced as close to where you are shopping as possible. 8 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Buying Produce—and How to Avoid Them How to Keep Corn Fresh Now that you've picked yourself the freshest corn, you'll want to keep it that way. The best way to store corn is on your countertop, preferably out of direct sunlight and away from heat (i.e. not next to the stove). "If you can avoid it, don't put corn in the fridge," says Talde. "This converts the sugars to starches and makes it less sweet." If you're need to keep it fresh for a few more days, wrap the corn in damp paper towels or tea towels before putting in the fridge to help the corn retain its moisture. Explore more: Food & Cooking