The grain of maize is used for food, feed, and industrial products including biodegradable foams, plastics, and adhesives. Additionally, maize stover, the leaves and stalk of the maize plant, is used for forage, biofuel production, and chemical production.

The covering or pericarp of the kernel contributes to the sense of texture. The pericarp of su and se corn is similar, while the pericarp of sh2 corn may have a crunchy texture or firmness, depending on variety.