Glacial, the White Sweet Corn Redefining Taste and Texture
It’s sweeter than a peach and perfectly tender. This is Glacial, a white sweet corn that looks as good as it tastes.
Already popular in the US and Asia, Glacial is now tempting European growers seeking exceptional eating quality, extended shelf life, and visual appeal. It also meets consumer demand for healthy snacks that taste great but have no added sugar.
“We wanted to bring something really innovative, something really new, to show the potential of sweet corn in Europe, said Klaudia Borbola, Product Development Specialist for Syngenta Vegetable Seeds. “There was one that stood out because of its remarkable taste, sweetness and texture. That was Glacial. At that time, none of us had ever tasted a white sweet corn. It’s not something you have in Europe. In the United States, people are more accustomed to it, they eat white and bicolor sweet corn a lot. With Glacial, it blew our mind because not only did it look great, it tasted so sweet too.”
When it comes to sweet corn, color doesn’t influence taste – it’s the genetics that control the eating experience. Color differences are purely a response to consumer demand in different countries and are produced through traditional breeding techniques. And while Glacial isn’t Syngenta’s only white sweet corn, its special characteristics single it out, in particular its flavor.
“Glacial has such a superior eating experience with a flavor that’s unique,” Borbola continued. “It is special because of the sweet taste.”
Glacial is distinguished by its pearl white hue, large ears, and vibrant kernels. It performs well in diverse temperatures and climates. In addition, it is noted for its durability which allows the cobs to retain freshness for up to two weeks when properly refrigerated, meaning that its market availability is extended and spoilage is minimized – all good news for growers.
A healthy snacking alternative
In the U.S., white sweet corn has been around for years and is particularly popular in California and the East Coast.
“Sweet corn is very much a staple in the American diet, it’s a primary vegetable,” said Glenn McKay, Product Specialist – Sweet Corn. “In the US, the popularity of white sweet corn is regional and is around 10% to 15% of the total sweet corn market. Regarding Glacial, it has been a particular success in markets where white sweet corn didn’t exist before, such as Asia.”
In Europe, customers can buy Glacial during the summer in Sweden, Ukraine, and Israel. And growers have been trialing Glacial in other countries, including Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and Germany.
“Glacial is our sweetest sweet corn variety,” said Borbola. “Glacial is for growers who are keen to differentiate themselves and explore new solutions, and it’s for retailers who are targeting customers with a more diverse product offering.”
