Sorry, No Corn Do! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Maize

Maize comes from the Taíno word mahis. Taíno was the predominant language spoken in the Caribbean when the Spanish arrived.

Answer: Mexico

While the exact location is unknown, evidence of corn pollen that is nearly 80,000 years old has been found underneath Mexico City. Historians believe corn was first domesticated in the Tehuacan Valley of Mexico.

Answer: Stone Corn

Dent corn is the most commonly grown variety in the US. It is primarily used for animal feed and industrial purposes.
Flint corn is often multi-colored.
Sweet corn is the yummy variety often eaten right off the cob. It also always has an even number of rows.

Answer: It is part of the reproductive system and causes the corn to grow kernels.

The top part of a cornstalk is known as a "tassel". This is the male part of the corn's reproductive system and produces the pollen. The silk is the female part, and it is designed to catch the pollen in order to fertilize the corn which creates all the juicy kernels.

Answer: The Three Sisters

This is known as companion planting, and it serves to maximize space and productivity. The corn provides a structure for the beans to grow up, instead of a pole. The beans "fix" nitrogen in the soil to help with fertilization. And the squash serves as ground cover to discourage the growth of weeds and help keep the soil cool and moist.

Answer: Tongba

Tongba is an alcoholic brew made from millet that is enjoyed in Nepal.
The other three are made by boiling cornmeal in water or milk.
Mamaliga is savored in Romania and surrounding areas.
Polenta is a favorite in Italy.
Grits are eaten extensively in the Southern United States.

Answer: Corn Flakes

Dr. J.H. Kellogg was the superintendent of Battle Creek Sanitarium, a health spa that required patrons to eat a vegetarian diet. Dr. Kellogg and his brother made granola as a part of this diet. One day a batch of boiled wheat destined for the granola was left unattended and dried out.

In an attempt to salvage the batch they ran it through rollers and found that flakes were created. After some experimenting the brothers found the same could be done with corn. The rest is breakfast history.

Answer: Bourbon

There are strict laws in place to define what is a true bourbon.
Rye, as the name suggests, is made from rye. Vodka can be made from corn, but it is not a requirement. Corn whiskey, sometimes called moonshine, is what you get if you use 80% or more of corn.

(Source: US Code of Federal Regulations)

Answer: Corn Palace

The first Corn Palace was created in 1892. Every year since then a new mural is put on the building using naturally colored corn, other grains and native grasses. It makes sense since all year long the birds are pecking at the Palace and slowly eating it away. Really. I've been there and watched those pesky birds do it.

Answer: 1993

The first corn maze was built in 1993 at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania. While corn has been around for a lot longer, the maze builders use a GPS (Global Positioning System) to build these intricate mazes. That's what makes them a more modern phenomenon.