Seldom do we fully appreciate the extraordinary capabilities of modern plant breeders, whose intricate manipulation (0) OF genetics and selective cultivation techniques has enabled the development of crop varieties 1 thought impossible. Take sweetcorn: since the early 20th century new techniques have been able to jack 2 the sugar content of this staple veg by an astonishing tenfold. This created supersweet varieties, the kernels of 3 are approaching 50% pure sucrose. Yet corn has so much 4 to offer than intense, one-dimensional sweetness. There’s a new generation of equally delicious savoury corn varieties with different flavours, dazzling colours and even superior performance in the garden. And it’s high 5 we gave them a go. The ubiquitous supersweet varieties are 6 on a single genetic mutation. This means that the intense sweetness of these varieties 7 at a price for gardeners. Their 8 of energy reserves means they have lower germination rates and are more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections, particularly in cold, wet climates like the UK.