(Tuesday, August 10, 2010) Salinas, CA – Something strange is happening at BBQs and tailgate parties throughout northern California. Appearing alongside the traditional burgers, sausages and hotdogs is an unusual type of colorful corn that’s great on the grill. The new crop of Ruby JewelTM Sweet Red Corn from Colorful Harvest is being harvested now near Merced in California’s great central valley. And grillers are flocking to local stores to get their share.
Once a secret of chefs who use the raw or roasted kernels to add color and crunch to their recipes, backyard BBQ chefs have taken to grilling the unusual corn to bring out the naturally sweet flavors. The Ruby JewelTM Sweet Red Corn is a special variety developed through traditional plant breeding methods, and grown only by Colorful Harvest. “The corn was bred to produce a deep red color and high sugar content,” said Doug Ranno, COO and managing partner of Colorful Harvest. The corn’s natural red pigment is actually a powerful anti-oxidant, called anthocyanin, that is present in Ruby JewelTM Sweet Red Corn at levels 350% higher than ordinary yellow corn.
Sports fans and tailgate partiers were alerted to the availability of the special grilling corn by a series of announcements aired on KNBR sports radio, the exclusive broadcaster of San Francisco’s baseball team, the orange and black. It is available now in Safeway, Lucky’s, Raley’s, Nob Hill, Bel Air, Save Mart and other fine stores.
The radio spots were done in conjunction with The Buckhorn Grill, a fast growing bay area restaurant chain known for its marinated tri-tip. Tom McLaughlin, regional manager for the Buckhorn Grill, grilled a sample of the special corn and immediately added it to the restaurant’s popular selection of roasted vegetables.
Colorful Harvest grows other unusual products such as purple-orange and green cauliflower, Rainbow Crunch CarrotsTM , purple broccoli, plus sweet red strawberries, melons and more.
Source: Colorful Harvest