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Corn silk

Corn silk suppliers and sourcing guide

Corn silk is the threadlike styles and stigmas of the maize plant, Zea mays, gathered from the ears and dried. It is sold as cut dried silk for teas, as a milled powder, and as water or water-ethanol extracts that are concentrated and dried, often onto a carrier, or kept as liquids. Most supply is a by-product of corn grown for grain or vegetables, so harvest timing and drying speed set the color and quality of each lot.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Zea mays styles and stigmas · Stigma maydis · Maydis stigma · corn silk extract
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of corn silk

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut and sifted

    Dried silk cut to a tea grade for infusions and tea bags; color should be golden to light brown rather than dark.

  • Powder

    Dried silk milled to a stated mesh for capsules and blends, with no extraction or concentration.

  • Dry extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract sold by drug-to-extract ratio (for example 10:1) or to a total flavonoid level, usually spray dried on maltodextrin.

  • Liquid extract

    Glycerin or water-alcohol extract for tinctures and drink concentrates, sold by herb-to-menstruum ratio.

  • Organic

    Silk from certified organic corn, with the organic certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the filaments, often with an HPTLC fingerprint against a reference, to confirm Zea mays styles and rule out husk or other plant material.
Marker or ratio
Total flavonoids by UV or individual flavonoids such as maysin by HPLC for standardized extracts; ratio extracts should state the ratio and carrier.
Moisture
Loss on drying for cut silk and powder, since damp silk molds quickly.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the buyer's limits.
Microbiology and mycotoxins
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella, plus aflatoxins because the material comes from maize fields.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen; field corn is often sprayed, so residues matter even for a by-product.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep cut silk, powder and dry extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Color, moisture and flavonoid content vary with harvest stage and how fast the silk was dried, so record the assay or ratio, moisture and origin for each lot. Retain a sample for appearance comparison and rotate stock first-expired, first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 184.1262 defines corn silk as the fresh styles and stigmas of Zea mays L. and affirms corn silk and corn silk extract as GRAS for use in food only within the listed limitations.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The listed limitations are use as a flavoring agent at set maximum levels by food category, such as baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts and soft candy.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists corn silk with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 184.1262.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Zea mays (POL-NF-00791) covers the stigma and style and lists a non-concentrated aqueous infusion from the styles as not novel in food.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Corn silk suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking corn silk suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell corn silk? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of corn silk can brands buy?

Common forms include cut and sifted, powder, dry extract, liquid extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for corn silk include?

Expect identity, marker or ratio, moisture, heavy metals, microbiology and mycotoxins and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should corn silk be stored?

Keep cut silk, powder and dry extracts sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor, since moisture and warmth invite mold and caking and light fades color and aroma. Reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date is set by the supplier's specification, and identity, moisture and microbiology are usually repeated before using aged stock.

What is the regulatory status of corn silk?

21 CFR 184.1262 defines corn silk as the fresh styles and stigmas of Zea mays L. and affirms corn silk and corn silk extract as GRAS for use in food only within the listed limitations. The listed limitations are use as a flavoring agent at set maximum levels by food category, such as baked goods, nonalcoholic beverages, frozen dairy desserts and soft candy. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists corn silk with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 184.1262. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Zea mays (POL-NF-00791) covers the stigma and style and lists a non-concentrated aqueous infusion from the styles as not novel in food.

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