Harper Farms - Mirai Corn and Other Fine Produce

There's corn, and then there's sweet corn. And then, off in a category all its own, there's Mirai, or as I like to call it, the crack of corn. It's so tender and sweet, it can be eaten raw and still blow away most other sweet corns. It is marketed along with fruits as a dessert in Japan, where the Mirai name comes from (it has double meaning - both "taste" and "future", so it means something like "taste the future").

Behold the golden kernels of Mirai- the perfect eating corn. Wait... Do you hear that music? It sounds... like a chorus of angels... And where's that bright light coming from?

Yeah, I'll admit it. I'm addicted to Mirai corn. But don't think I'm saying that to join any support group. I'm enjoying this addiction guilt free. Fortunately, it's totally legal, and I have a steady supply available from a local farm stand. I'm lucky enough to live near Harper Farms, and even luckier to pass by it twice each day - it's conveniently located directly along my commute down Rt. 117.

A bin of Mirai corn at Harper Farms waits for me to come take it home. I won't let it down.

Harper Farms has been there over 100 years, and is now a 5th generation family operation. So I guess they know a thing or two about how to grow stuff in central MA. On a good day, I'll pull in on my way to work, just as the corn is coming in from the fields, and then I'll eat it for lunch that day. From field to stomach in less than 5 hours - now that's fresh baby! It may not be the absolute best way to cook corn, but 3 minutes in the cafeteria microwave makes me and my fresh corn the envy of my colleagues. Every. Single. Time.

Corn coming in from the fields in the morning at Harper Farms. I've hyped this stuff so much at work that I've become a corn mule. Everyone wants a piece of this action.

I'm sure you've heard the old cliche (or maybe even said it yourself), "Oohh ho ho! That corn is sooo sweet it doesn't need any butter or salt on it!" Well what a load of crap. Sure, it may not need butter and salt, but butter and salt make great corn taste even better. Why settle for great when you can have epic?

Mirai corn may be great on its own, but don't deprive yourself of one of life's rare treasures. Butter and salt are the perfect compliment to this amazing corn. Just do it.

If Harper Farms only delivered corn, it would still be worth seeking out. As it is, however, they have a ton of other great fruit and vegetable products, at very reasonable prices. Sure, they have standards like lettuce, green beans, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. But they also grow a cornucopia of exotic varieties like heirloom tomatoes, purple green beans, and thai eggplant. These are the interesting things that make a farmer's market so exciting to shop at.

Heirloom tomato varietal names are as colorful as the tomatoes themselves. Here we have black prince, green zebra, and striped cavern to name a few. Not only do they taste better, but at Harper Farms they cost less than the standard supermarket swill.

Thai eggplants are beautiful, with green and white patterns covering the golf ball sized fruit.

Lettuce, chard, squash, peppers - whatever your bag is, Harper Farms delivers quality locally farmed products. And you won't leave feeling like somebody stole your wallet.

Don't take my word for it - there's still some time left to get yourself some amazing corn before the end of the season, but time is running out. Supply is limited, so it's a good idea to call ahead if you're coming a long way. It's worth the trip!

Harper Farms
1539 Main St (Rt 117)
Lancaster, MA 01523
978-840-0258

Going Local - A Pork is My Friend Series

Index Last Updated: 09.13.08

I've been halfway around the world and have the stories and photos to prove it. And while it's great to blow a wad of cash on an exotic dining experience every once in a while, that's certainly not something I can do every day. So where do I go when I'm not on the road, when I'm just living normal life like everyone else? Where and what do I like to eat when I'm home? Well, it's about time you'd asked.

To aswer that question, I'm starting a series of posts, Going Local, to share my favorite places to hit up on a regular basis. I live and work in the Greater Boston area (the western suburbs, to be exact) so naturally most of my frequent haunts will be out that way. I do get into the city every once in a while though, and I'll make it a point to include some of those spots in time. Unlike most of my foreign experiences, these are places I've visited many, many times. If I still want to keep coming back, they must be doing something right.

For convenience, I'll be updating this post with links to each entry as it is posted, so it functions as an index of sorts.

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- Harper Farms, Lunenburg, MA - Great farm stand with the absolute best corn ever (9.13.08)