Popcorn is an extremely popular snack that can be found ready to eat at movie theaters or unpopped at the grocery store. The snack consists of corn kernels that are partially dried. When kernels are heated, their insides pop through their hulls. Popcorn is often prepared at home on the stove or using the microwave, or in bulk with industrial machines.
Background
Corn is a food native to America, and it was here that Spanish explorers first witnessed people popping corn. According to Popcorn.org, Peruvian Indians ate popcorn in the form of a sweet snack, while Aztec Indians used it for decorative purposes in their traditional ceremonies. Popcorn.org also states that the popularity of popcorn reached its peak in America around the time of the Great Depression, when street vendors sold bags of it for a nickel, making it an inexpensive snack.
Composition
Popcorn is a grain that consists of an outer shell, starch and basic seed. The starch inside the outer shell surrounds trace amounts of water. When the kernel is heated, the water puts pressure on the starch and causes the kernel to pop. Before corn kernels can be popped or sold, they are stored in order to lower the amount of moisture in the corn. While the kernel needs a small amount of water to make it pop, too much will actually prevent it from popping.
Varieties
Popcorn vendors at carnivals, fairgrounds and flea markets sell the snack in numerous flavors, including plain, kettle corn and caramel corn. In the United States, salt and butter is traditionally used to to top popcorn. In Asia, popcorn is typically topped with nutritional yeast and spices. Microwave popcorn is now a staple in many households. According AllBusiness.com, many well-known manufacturers such as Act II, Pop Secret and Orville Redenbacher sell popcorn throughout the country. Many of these companies also offer products that have no trans-fat or very low calories.
Nutrition
The actual nutritional value of popcorn is highly contested. Those who claim that popcorn is a healthy eating option are quick to state that popcorn is a whole grain that contains complex carbohydrates, fiber and no artificial additives. Popcorn critics point to the amount of salt, butter and oil that is often served with popcorn, both in microwave bags and at movie theaters. According to a 2009 study conducted the Center for Science and Public Interest, movie theater popcorn has high amounts of saturated fat and calories because it is popped with coconut oil; it also is a problem because it is served in large sizes and people are apt to eat more.
Other Uses
Children often use popcorn when making crafts, such as sculpture held together with glue or necklaces on a string. According to Martha Stewart, some North American households thread popcorn on strings and hang it on Christmas trees. Popcorn.org states that at one time, popped popcorn was used as a packing material for shipping. When it was noticed that the popcorn was being eaten by pests and attracted insects, it became the inspiration for biodegradable packing popcorn and peanuts.
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