Grain
Glass Gem
A tier
Glass Gem is a rainbow flint corn—translucent kernels in pink, blue, green, and gold that look like polished beads on the cob. Carl Barnes and seed stewards selected it from Indigenous-derived lines; internet fame made the ears iconic worldwide. It is hard flour or flint for grinding and popping experiments, not sugary sweetcorn. Dry fully, then grind for colourful polenta-style meal or try as novelty popcorn. Photograph ears before shelling—they are half the pleasure. Cooking quality varies by selection; treat as heritage craft corn first and supper second.
Track this ingredient
Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Carl Barnes's work with rainbow flint lines led to what became Glass Gem.
Viral photographs made Glass Gem a global seed sensation.
Seed companies worldwide offered Glass Gem to home growers.
Glass Gem stayed a flagship ornamental-edible heritage corn.