How Did Popcorn Originate?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Corn was domesticated about

10,000 years ago

in what is now Mexico. Archaeologists discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. Fossil evidence from Peru suggests that corn was popped as early as 4700 BC. Through the 19th century, popping of the kernels was achieved by hand on stove tops.

Who invented popcorn and why?


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. But the act of popping corn is much older.

Did popcorn invent by mistake?

Since popcorn comes from corn, specifically the zea mays everta variety,

popcorn was never really “invented” by man

, however there is evidence of popcorn all throughout the history of the Americas. The oldest popcorn known to date was found in New Mexico.

What is the story behind popcorn?

It’s been said that

popcorn was part of the first Thanksgiving feast, in Plymouth Colony in 1621

. According to myth, Squanto himself taught the Pilgrims to raise and harvest corn, and pop the kernels for a delicious snack. Unfortunately, this story contains more hot air than a large bag of Jiffy Pop.

Where was popcorn first popped?

History. Corn was domesticated about 10,000 years ago in what is now

Mexico

. Archaeologists discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. Fossil evidence from Peru suggests that corn was popped as early as 4700 BC.

What country eats the most popcorn?

1.

The United States

Remains at the Top of the List. First, it should come as no surprise that the United States is still one of the top countries in the world when it comes to overall popcorn consumption.

Why popcorn is bad for you?

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.

Did cavemen eat popcorn?

Did cavemen sit around the fire stuffing their hairy faces with popcorn? After analyzing recently unearthed ancient corncobs, researchers say people in what’s

now Peru were eating popcorn 2,000 years earlier than previously thought

— up to 6,700 years ago, National Geographic reports.

What popcorn brand is the best?

  • 11 Orville Redenbacher’s Butter Microwave Popcorn. …
  • 10 Act II Butter Microwave Popcorn Butter Popcorn. …
  • 9 Pop Secret Popcorn, Butter. …
  • 8 Jolly Time Popcorn Blast O Butter. …
  • 7 Skinny Pop Popcorn, Butter. …
  • 6 Newman’s Own Popcorn, Butter.

Is popcorn Keto friendly?

Is popcorn keto? Because 5 grams of net carbs is pretty low,

popcorn can definitely fit into a keto diet

, says Rizzo. “It’s a healthy whole-grain snack that is low in carbs,” she says.

Is popcorn actually corn?


Popcorn is actually a special variety of corn

, and it is the only one that pops. The key to popcorn is the unique design of its kernels. Most importantly, its kernel consists of a very hard, mostly nonporous outer shell called pericarp.

Which company sells the most popcorn in the United States?

For the 52 weeks ending February 21, 2016,

SkinnyPop

was the best-selling RTE popcorn brand within the popcorn industry based on dollar sales of about 183.4 million U.S. dollars. Ready-to-eat (RTE) popcorn belongs to the snack food category.

What state produces the most popcorn?


Nebraska

is the top popcorn-producing state and produced 353.7 million pounds of shelled popcorn, or 44% of all popcorn production. Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio are also top producers of popcorn.

What is popcorn called in America?

Popcorn (

popped corn, popcorns or pop-corn

) is a variety of corn kernel which expands and puffs up when heated; the same names are also used to refer to the foodstuff produced by the expansion.

Is popcorn an American thing?

The history of popcorn is

deep throughout the Americas

, where corn is a staple food, but the oldest popcorn known to date was found in New Mexico. … In addition to the kernels found in New Mexico, a kernel approximately 1,000 years old was found in Utah in a cave that was thought to be inhabited by Pueblo tribal members.

Do other countries eat popcorn?


India

.

India

is another country that loves its popcorn. As much as 23,000 tons of popcorn is imported annually, and sales continue to grow as more people choose to eat popcorn as their go-to snack.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.