A corn cob is the central, semi-woody core of an ear of corn that the kernels grow on. Beyond being an agricultural byproduct, the cob itself is used as a cooking ingredient: it is grilled and served whole as Mexican-style elote, or added to broths and stews to lend a sweet, earthy corn flavor, as in Chinese and Japanese corn soups. Dried cobs are also used to smoke meats and infuse liquids. The flavor is sweet, subtly nutty, and mildly starchy.