How Was Popcorn Invented?
Popcorn is one of the most iconic foods. This might be because it is a little mysterious and magical to watch small hard kernels metamorphose into delicious, fluffy nuggets. While there have been many legends about the mysteries of popcorn, the facts are as interesting. Does this Spark an idea?
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Oldest Popcorn
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The oldest known popcorn was found at the bottom of an ancient refuse pile in the Bat Cave of New Mexico. The kernels were carbon dated as 5,600 years old and were still able to be popped.
Aztec Decoration
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The Native Americans of the Bat Cave probably cooked the first popcorn the way that the Aztecs later cooked it, by mixing the kernels into hot sand near a fire. They used popcorn for food and ceremonial decoration, and folklore held that spirits inside the kernels caused them to pop.
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Hard Times
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Popcorn is a cheap treat and was therefore popular in America during hard times, such as the Depression and World War II.
Commercial Popcorn
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Most commercial popcorn comes from the Midwest of the U.S. However, it was originally grown in family gardens and wasn't cultivated as a crop for sale until the 1890s.
The Microwave
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Popcorn experienced a resurgence when the microwave was invented, and popcorn could be made at home to eat in front of the TV. In fact, the very first microwave was tested using popcorn.
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References
- Photo Credit www.morguefile.com/o0o0xmods0o0o
