Written By Sam Henselijn
The History of Popcorn. Although a common grain, popcorn’s spot of honor in America’s culture is relatively recent. In fact, if it weren’t for the Great Depression, popcorn might not have become the absolute staple it is today. Let’s take a dive into popcorn’s incredible history. Learn more about the history of popcorn below.
What makes popcorn pop?
Contrary to what most people may believe, popcorn is a form of maize, not sweet corn-on-the-cob! The secret is all in the kernel. Popcorn comes from a specific type of maize that produces small kernels with a hard outer shell. These kernels can’t be enjoyed raw though, or you may end up cracking your tooth. To become popcorn, they need to be heated. That turns the moisture within into steam, and when the outer shell has reached its pressure point it bursts, the soft inner flake is released, which creates – you guessed it – popcorn.
Who discovered popcorn?
Popcorn was crucial to South American culture, mainly the Aztecs. They used popcorn in worship ceremonials, often worn as headdresses, necklaces, and ornaments. It is said that French explorers first came across Iroquois popping popcorn in the early 1600s in the Great Lakes region, and after that, colonial families started to eat it in a bowl with milk and sugar, just like the sugared cereals we enjoy today.
The History of Popcorn
Great Depression
Believe it or not, movie theater owners were not on board with selling popcorn inside at first. They thought it was simply too messy and not elegant enough for the fancy atmosphere they were trying to create.
The Depression eventually changed their mindset, and they began to view it as a small luxury that patrons could afford. At about 5 to 10 cents a bag, popcorn was one of the few treats that families could pay for. As the Depression raged on, theaters that didn’t sell popcorn eventually went out of business, and theater owners could no longer ignore the profits that the magical snack brought in their doors.
Popcorn nutrition & health benefits
Plain popcorn is made of 100% natural whole grain, which makes it one of the healthiest and most popular snack foods! It is full of important nutrients and offers a variety of health benefits.
Polyunsaturated oil and fiber found in maize, (plus the low amount of saturated fats and bad cholesterol) may reduce the risk of heart diseases and help lower LDL cholesterol in the body.
A moderate consumption of popcorn can also be beneficial to your gut health! Popcorn contains a lot of fiber, which can prevent and treat constipation and reduce abdominal discomfort. Together, these actions can greatly improve your digestive health.
Does popcorn expire?
Does popcorn go bad? With adequate storage, unpopped popcorn kernels can last indefinitely. A properly sealed bag of kernels can last years. Now, if a date is printed, this is not exactly an expiration date. It usually just means that the quality of your popcorn will begin to decline after this date. That leads to a less delicious product, but it’s likely still safe to eat.
Fun facts about popcorn
- Because of the low cost and fun shape, popcorn has been used as holiday decor since the 1800’s.
- The word “popcorn” first appeared in Bartlett’s Dictionary of Americanisms in 1838.
- Popcorn was first produced commercially across the United States in the 1840’s.
- Microwave popcorn was invented and mass-produced in the early 1980’s.
- Cracker Jack, made with peanuts, popcorn, and molasses, was invented by two German immigrants in the 1870’s.
- When popcorn pops in a round shape, it is called mushroom popcorn. The ones that pop in irregular shapes are called butterfly popcorn.
- Charles Cretors, a candy store owner, invented the first mobile popcorn machine powered by steam. The contraption was shown off in 1893 at the World’s Exposition.
- Popcorn consumption increased due to sugar rationing during WWII. Sugar was scarce, so people were forced to find different sources of snacks. Americans found joy in popcorn, and ate three times as much of it as they had before.
Try our popcorn mixes
Nothing beats a giant bowl of popcorn when you want to relax, sit on your couch, and watch a movie. The only way to make it better is by having some fun with the toppings. And why go to the trouble yourself when you can get the best popcorn mixes online? Have a look at our selection!
Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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