Popcorn comes from a certain variety of maize that produces small kernels with a hard outer shell. These kernels cannot be chewed without a good chance of cracking your tooth. To get to the fluffy edible part, you must heat the kernel, which turns the moisture within into steam.
How do they get popcorn kernels?
Once the plant is fully mature, the corn is picked and fed through a combine, removing the cob’s kernels. These kernels are dried in a special container, optimizing the moisture level for popping. The kernel needs to maintain around a 14% moisture level to pop.
Where do corn kernels for popcorn come from?
Most of the world’s popcorn is grown in the United States Corn Belt of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio. Each spring, farmers plant popcorn seeds about 11/2 inches deep and 6 inches apart in the soil. That’s nearly 28,000 seeds per acre.
Is popcorn made from real corn?
Popcorn (also called popped corn, popcorns or pop-corn) is a variety of corn kernel which expands and puffs up when heated; the same names also refer to the foodstuff produced by the expansion.
Is popcorn actually corn seeds?
Corn, also known as maize, provides over 20% of the world’s nutrition. There are several types of corn, including the two shown in the photo below: sweet corn and popcorn. Each kernel of corn is actually a seed that, like most seeds, contains an embryo (a baby plant) and a seed coat for protection.
Is popcorn healthier than corn?
Despite being lower in calories, popcorn is higher in fat than corn on the cob; one cup of popcorn contains 3 g of fat, while a 7-inch ear of corn provides just 1 g of fat. Corn on the cob is also free of saturated fat, while popcorn with a typical preparation contains 0.5 g of saturated fat per cup.
Can I grow popcorn?
Plant seeds one inch deep in heavier soils, and up to two inches deep in sandy soil. Space the seeds about 8 inches apart. Plant in at least four rows, with 18 to 24 inches between rows. Popcorn germination takes longer than sweet corn, and most varieties require 90 to 120 days to reach full maturity.
Can you plant a popcorn kernel?
For best results, plant Unflavored Popcorn Kernels in a sunny part of your yard. When planting, place the kernels 1” deep, approximately 6-8” apart, and space the rows 1 foot apart. Once plants reach 4” in height, thin out a bit so your plants have room to spread out and mature throughout the season.
Is Popping corn different from regular corn?
Unlike regular corn, the hull of a popcorn kernel is non-porous and traps steam when heated. When the steam creates enough pressure, the kernel explodes.
What part of the corn is popcorn?
kernel
The secret is in the kernel. Popcorn comes from a certain variety of maize that produces small kernels with a hard outer shell. These kernels cannot be chewed without a good chance of cracking your tooth. To get to the fluffy edible part, you must heat the kernel, which turns the moisture within into steam.
Why is popcorn good for you?
There are a few health benefits to eating popcorn. In addition to being high in fiber, popcorn also contains phenolic acids, a type of antioxidant. In addition, popcorn is a whole grain, an important food group that may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension in humans.
Can dogs eat popcorn?
So, can dogs eat popcorn? In and of itself, fully popped, unseasoned popcorn is safe for dogs in small quantities, as long as it’s popped using methods that don’t require oil, such as air popping.
Who invented popcorn?
The treat is so ancient that archeologists have found popcorn fossils. Charles Cretor of Chicago is often credited as the inventor of modern popcorn, thanks to his invention of the mobile popcorn cart in the 1880s.
What happens if you boil popcorn kernels?
Boiling weakens the hull, decreasing the amount of pressure required for the little explosion. The excess moisture also changes the conditions inside the endosperm, preventing the foam from forming into an airy corn cloud, instead creating a small, dense, crunchy-and-chewy snack.
What is the science behind popping popcorn?
Due to the hard and mostly nonporous shell, the steam has nowhere to go, resulting in a buildup of pressure inside the kernel. Once the pressure gets high enough and the temperature reaches about 180 degrees Celsius (355 degrees Fahrenheit), the kernel hull bursts and the popcorn is turned inside out.
Can you turn sweet corn into popcorn?
You cannot make popcorn from fresh sweet corn. In order for popcorn to pop it needs a very strong hull, that allows pressure to be built up within. The hull of fresh sweet corn is not strong enough for that.
What happens if you eat too much popcorn?
Premade popcorn often contains a high level of salt, or sodium. Eating too much sodium can cause high blood pressure and lead to other health complications. Some brands also include a lot of sugar. Added butter, sugar, and salt can make popcorn an unhealthful snack.
Is popcorn an inflammatory food?
Snack favorites high in sodium, such as chips and popcorn, are also known inflammation causers. These salt-filled snacks will surely lead to bloating and swelling.
Is popcorn good for gut health?
Since popcorn is all whole grain, its insoluble fiber helps keep your digestive tract in check and prevents constipation. A 3-cup serving contains 3.5 grams of fiber, and a high-fiber diet can help promote intestinal regularity, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Can you plant popcorn seeds from the grocery store?
No, you can’t open a bag of popcorn from the grocery store and plant it. Most store bought popcorn isn’t fertile because of the heating and sterilization processes it undergoes. You’ll need to buy fertile popcorn from your local garden center and there are plenty to choose from on the internet.
What is the best corn to grow for popcorn?
7 of the Best Popcorn Varieties
- Carousel.
- Glass Gem.
- Heirloom Popcorn.
- Heirloom Strawberry.
- Robust Yellow Hulles Hybrid.
- Shaman’s Blue.
- Snow Puff.