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Popcorn

    Popcorn Editor's Picks

    • What Is Popcorn?

      Popcorn has existed in some form for thousands of years. Today's popcorn snack bears little resemblance to the popcorn foods some earlier Americans enjoyed. This distinctly American food, though sold worldwide today, has its roots firmly planted in United States soil. Served in its original, whole grain state without added butter,... more »

    • How is Popcorn Processed?

      Popcorn is one of America's favorite snack foods. Naturally low in fat and high in fiber, popcorn is simple to prepare and is inexpensive compared to other snack foods. Popcorn can be eaten as is or seasoned with salt, sugar, butter or other flavorings. Popcorn traces its roots back to antiquity, with the American Indian first... more »

    • How Does Popcorn Pop?

      Popcorn is the most popular snack food of all time. Whether in a movie theater or at home in front of the television, people eat popcorn more than any other snack food. It is estimated that popcorn has been around for thousands of years. Popcorn is a snack food which can be traced throughout history. It is known that Aztec Indians... more »

    • 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. more »

    • What Country Does Popcorn Come From?

      Popcorn probably was first discovered in Mexico, where it was used for cooking and decorative purposes. Historical evidence also traces it back thousands of years to regions which now are the southwestern United States. more »

    Popcorn Quick Guides

    • Halloween Treats

      With Halloween comes trick-or-treating, costumes, games and activities. Whether you're looking...

    • Giftbaskets Tutorial

      Creating gift baskets is a fun way to make personalized gifts. You can make themed baskets...

    • Snacks

      Snacks aren't just for schoolkids; a healthy snack during the day can keep you from over-eating...

    • Film Festival Guide

      Film festivals are a great way to showcase genre films as well as discover new and upcoming...

    Popcorn Articles

    • About Popcorn

      Americans consume over 1 billion pounds of popcorn every year as a snack food in theaters, circuses or at home. This versatile food has existed... more »

    • How to Make Popcorn in a Popcorn Machine

      Popcorn machines revolutionized the way we make popcorn. Not only do these machines allow us to make popcorn without using any type of oil, which... more »

    • How to Eat Popcorn

      Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks in the United Snacks. This delicious treat is created by heating up kernels of corn and waiting until... more »

    • How to Flavor Popcorn

      Popcorn is a delicious snack that many people enjoy, but it can pack on calories when you covered it with salt and butter. If you want to keep... more »

    • What is Popcorn Made Of?

      People have been eating popcorn for thousands of years. It was originally discovered by Native Americans in prehistoric times. Popcorn is a type... more »

    Wikipedia

    Popcorn


    Popcorn or popping corn is a type of corn which explodes from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Corn popping was originally discovered by Native Americans, but became popular as a snack food during the United States Great Depression, especially in movie theaters.

    Corn is able to pop because, unlike other grains, its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy filling. This allows pressure to build inside the kernel until an explosive "pop" results. Some strains of corn are now cultivated specifically as popping corns.

    There are many techniques for popping corn. Commercial large-scale popcorn machines were invented by Charles Cretors in the late 19th Century. Many types of small-scale home methods for popping corn also exist, with the most popular being prepackaged microwavable popcorn"AmericanOriginal">.

    As a snack food, popcorn has both advocates and detractors. Some consider it to be a health food, while others caution against it for a variety of reasons. Popcorn can also have non-food applications, ranging from holiday decorations to packaging materials.

    History
    Popcorn was first discovered thousands of years ago by the Native Americans"buzz">. Some tribes believed that the popping noise was that of an angry god who escaped the kernel.

    During the Great Depression, popcorn was comparatively cheap at 5-10 cents a bag and became popular. Thus, while other businesses failed the popcorn business thrived and became a source of income for some struggling farmers."popcorn.org"> During World War II, sugar rations diminished candy production causing Americans to eat three times more popcorn than they had before."popcorn.org" />

    At least six localities (all in the Midwestern United States) claim to be the "Popcorn Capital of the World": Valparaiso, Indiana; Van Buren, Indiana; Marion, Ohio; Ridgway, Illinois; Schaller, Iowa; and North Loup, Nebraska. According to the USDA, most of the maize used for read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popcorn

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