Comparing canned hominy vs canned corn in the supermarket here in S. Florida, typically the hominy is half the price of the same sized can of corn. Since hominy is corn that’s been processed, I would have though it would be more expensive than plain corn.
Is it some supply-and-demand thing? Or is there actually more expensive processing involved in a can of “plain” corn?
Canned corn is made from sweet corn, the corn-on-the-cob type with the high sugar content and the pretty kernels. It’s harvested when it’s immature.
Hominy is made from field corn; it’s harvested mature, the kernels are larger, and it’s starchier and less sweet.
85% of all corn grown is field corn; there are food grades, animal feed grades, “fit-only-for-making-fuel” grades, etc.
http://www.kycorn.org/corneducation/cornfacts.html
http://www.ams.usda.gov/standards/cnhominy.pdf (PDF file!)
Mystery solved. Thanks Nametag!