Difference Between Maize vs Corn

You see, all you need to do is pay attention to everyday people’s conversations. Afterward, you will realize that many people do not seem to know the difference between maize and corn. From markets to streets, you will hear people use the terms interchangeably. Regardless of how people use them, just keep in mind that they have some dissimilarities.

So, in this guide, you will learn the disparities, which chiefly involve the vernacular usage of each of the terms in their local parlance. Now, we will kick off this informative read with the definitions and progress to the distinctions.

Definition of Maize

Maize is a word whose etymology is traced to the Spanish term maiz. Still discussing the origin, the word made its way into the English lexicon in the middle of the 16th century. Experts say that it is a phase of corn, which is a plant whose grains are set on cobs. Upon getting to maturity, the grains will spread throughout the cob. The plant serves as a source of nutrients for both humans and animals.

In other words, it is prepared in many different ways to serve as people’s food. However, the most common method of preparing it is boiling. Today, the term has become an acceptable scientific term for corn. The word is important due to its scientific and international applications.

For instance, agricultural research institutes such as FAO and CSIRO use it in their everyday activities. Nowadays, it is chiefly regarded as an American cereal plant that is capable of yielding large grains on a cob. Its botanical name is Zea mays. Having come thus far, we will go ahead to discuss the primary difference between corn and maize after dissecting the former.

Definition of Corn

Corn is a term primarily used in North America to describe a homegrown cereal plant that produces seeds on its cobs. According to researchers, the term originated from the German and Dutch terms Korn and Koren respectively. It would later become the English term corn. More often than not, the term is used to describe a kind of grain or varieties of it.

There are cases where the word is employed as a single entity in the description of many objects. Still, the word is used to describe a cereal crop common in England and Scotland on some occasions. This crop serves as the alternative to wheat grain or oats. However, the term can serve as the synonym of maize when it is referring to the cooked food or is being used for agricultural purposes.

It is a seed that has developed over the years. Looking at its relevance, it is rich in energy because it contains a significant amount of carbohydrates or more than any other food crop out there. Available records show that it is cultivated on arable land for subsistence uses and commercial purposes.

Main Differences Between Maize vs Coin

The table below highlights key points in the corn vs maize discussion.

Difference Between Maize and Corn: Conclusion

In conclusion, the words share so much in common but not without glaring disparities. To summarize this guide, you have to keep in mind that maize vs corn has many contrasts as shown in the table above. For instance, while the former is commonly used in American English, the latter is often used in British English. Finally, you should feel free to refer to the table for more details.