How Is Popcorn Produced?

Popcorn is grown in 29 U.S. states.

Popcorn is the all-American snack. Unlike sweet corn, popcorn has a high moisture content, which makes it pop when exposed to heat. You can purchase it in ready-to-pop microwave bags, as loose kernels for air or stove-top popping, and in many ready-to-eat varieties.

Cultivation

"Zea mays everta," commonly known as popcorn, has been grown for thousands of years. Native American tribes used it for food, as well as for necklaces and headdresses. As of 2007, popcorn was grown on over 201,000 acres in the U.S. Popcorn farmers harvest the crop by combine.

Processing

The term "popcorn processing" is legally defined as shelling, drying and preparing popcorn for the commercial market. Popcorn processing companies use a wide range of packaging and flavorings in the popcorn products they offer.

Fun Fact

The American Popcorn Company was the first to sell a branded variety of popcorn, the readily-recognizable Jolly Time Popcorn. The company remains a leader in the popcorn industry.

References

• Agricultural Marketing Resource Center: Popcorn Profile
• University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension: Popcorn
• U.S. Legal: Processing Popcorn Law & Legal Definition