Extracted whole corn kernels and improved processed and processable corn produced thereby

A processed corn kernel product obtained from an extraction process in which:

• a) an initial unprocessed whole corn kernel having an initial moisture content of less than 15% by weight solids in the whole corn kernel is mixed with water at solids levels of between 10% to 50% kernel/water to form a mixture, the original unprocessed whole corn kernel containing at least 0.03% by total solids weight of at least one water soluble material selected from the group consisting of starches, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, oils, fibers, flavonoids, polyphenols, antioxidants, phenolic acids and dyes;
• b) the mixture is maintained at a temperature of between 50° C. and 85° C. for at least 30 minutes to i) form a liquid extract with the water and whole corn kernels from which at least some of the water soluble material has been extracted into the water and ii) a whole corn kernel having a moisture content of at least 3% absolute moisture content higher than the unprocessed whole kernel;
• c) the whole corn kernels are physically separated from the liquid extract, the resulting liquid extract containing greater than 0.04% and up to 2.5% of the solids weight of the original unprocessed whole corn kernel and having a minimum of 0.05% by weight of the at least one water-soluble material originally in the unprocessed whole corn kernel;
• and d) the corn kernels are dried until a kernel moisture level of less than 15% is obtained, to produce a processed corn kernel product that still retains at least 97.5% of the solids weight of the initial unprocessed corn kernels to form the processed corn kernel product.