Popcorn: Who doesn't love it?

Discover the interesting science behind why popcorn pops and what physical properties make this possible.

Popcorn Kernels: Hard Hull, Soft Interior

Popcorn, specifically the Zea mays everta variety, is unique because it has a really hard outer shell, which is harder than other varieties of corn. Inside this tough hull, there's a significant amount of hard starch compared to soft starch, setting the stage for the popcorn's explosive reaction to heat.

Steam Trapped In Kernel Causes Burst Hull

The popping of popcorn is a result of steam trapped inside the kernel. When you heat a popcorn kernel, the water inside converts into steam. As the temperature rises, the steam expands, exerting pressure on the kernel's interior until it blows the popcorn inside out.

Popcorn's Ideal Water Content (13-20%) For Popping

To achieve the popcorn's signature pop, there must be an ideal moisture level within the kernel. The ideal water content for popcorn kernels ranges between 13 and 20%. If the water content falls below 13%, the kernel typically doesn't pop because there isn't enough steam to build the pressure neede ...

Popcorn's journey from an ancient grain to a beloved snack spans millennia and continents. It's a thoroughly American phenomenon with roots deep in the continent’s history.

Originating In Americas, Popcorn Was Domesticated From Wild Teosinte In Mexico 9,000 Years Ago

Popcorn is said to be "through and through American" and corn, the grain from which popcorn is made, is indigenous to the Americas. It was domesticated from the wild teosinte plant about 9,000 years ago in Mexico.

Popcorn Use Evidence Dating Back 6,700 Years In South and Central America

Archaeological findings provide evidence of popcorn existing 6,700 years ago. For instance, popcorn has been found buried with human remains in South America. In Peru, popcorn that was a thousand years old was discovered and deemed still viable for popping. In what is now the Southwestern United States, indigenous peoples cultivated popcorn even before the arrival of Europeans.

Popcorn's Cultural and Dietary Importance to Indigenous Peoples

Spanish missionaries such as Bernardino da Sahagun in the 16th century documented Aztec use of popcorn, referring to it as Momochitl for decorations. Furthermore, a 17th-century missionary named Cobo noted Peruvians toasting a certain kind of corn until it burst, which was clearly indicative of popcorn.

Popcorn Introduced To Colonizers In the 16th Century

19th Century Snack Popularity

Eventually, popcorn was introduced to white European settlers. It began to be cultivated in New England and became increasingly popular in the 19th century. By the 1820s, popcorn seeds were sold by seed sellers, and by the latter half of the 19th century, c ...

The history of popcorn is a tale of innovation and convenience, transforming it into one of the world's favorite snacks. From its early preparations to its iconic status in movie theaters and homes alike, popcorn remains a classic treat.

Advances in Popcorn Preparation Increased Its Popularity

Popcorn's journey to becoming a beloved snack is marked by technological advancements in its preparation.

Early Devices Like Skillets and Griddles Evolved Into Mechanical Poppers

Originally, popcorn was made directly over a fire or on an iron plank, similar to beachside oyster cooking. A heavy frying pan was also used, requiring effort to hold and shake over the fire to prevent scorching. In 1866, the first patent for a popcorn popper was issued. This lighter device had a long handle and a mesh basket resembling old-timey toast makers, making it much easier to prepare popcorn.

As technology progressed, so did popcorn-making gadgets. Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark describe the use of devices like the Whirly Pop, a stovetop crank apparatus, and the "Stir Crazy," a mechanical popper that automatically stirs the popcorn.

In 1893, Charles Cretors further revolutionized popcorn-making with his patented mobile, portable popcorn machine, adapted from a peanut roaster. Its creation contributed to the prevalence of popcorn stands on sidewalks, due to the snack's consistent affordability.

Electric popcorn poppers ushered in a new era, though initial models presented fire hazards. By the late 1960s, safe versions were available, contributing to popcorn's increasing popularity.

Popcorn's Association With Movie Theaters Began In the 20th Century

Popcorn Became Profitable for Theaters During the Great Depression

As movies became a popular form of entertainment in the 20th century, popcorn naturally found its place as the ideal companion. White corn was originally the norm until theaters switched to yellow corn, which looked more buttery even without added butter. The yellow corn's buttery appearance made it the standard in the U.S.

Theaters initially resisted popcorn due to its messiness, but the Great Depression highlighted its profitability as a low-cost snack. Outside vendors were the first to sell popcorn to moviegoers, but theater owners quickly realized the financial potential, eventually popping and selling it themselves. R.J. McKenna's theater thrived on popcorn sales, making substantial profits and, at one point, earning the equivalent of over $4.5 million from popcorn sales in a year.

The a ...

The history of popcorn innovation is sprinkled with both whimsical branding and practical advances, from the development of new popcorn varieties to the exploration of popcorn's role in eco-friendly packaging.

Improved Popcorn Varieties and Hybrids For Quality and Flavor

Orville Redenbacher is a name synonymous with popcorn, thanks in part to the proprietary strain of popcorn he developed. Beginning in 1951, Redenbacher and his partner Charles Bowman took to the task of perfecting popcorn. Their research into hybrid kernels ultimately led to the creation of a novel popcorn variety, now known as the Redbow variety. Orville Redenbacher launched his eponymous brand in 1969, which quickly became a leading name in popcorn thanks to the superior quality and flavor of the Redbow strain. Despite selling his brand to Hunt-Wesson Foods in 1976, Redenbacher remained the iconic, bow tie-wearing figurehead of the company—humorously leading hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant to speculate on the tie between his signature neckwear and the "red bow" name of his popcorn product.

Creative Packaging Preserves Freshness, Enhances Experience

Popcorn's allure is enhanced not just by its flavor but also by its packaging. Innovations like Jiffy Pop represent a leap in the convenience and experience of popcorn consumption. Introduced as a pre-portioned popping kit, Jiffy Pop includes everything needed to pop fresh popcorn in one handy package. As both Clark and Bryant note, the foil expands as the popcorn pops, creating a novel experience. However, Clark cautions against its use on ceramic cooktops. Bryant also recalls TV Time, another innovation where popcorn was preserved for freshness in specially designed packaging that incl ...