Popcorn has grown to become one of the most popular snacks in America. Popcorn dates back 5,000 years ago to where it first was discovered in New Mexico. The popularity of this snack began to increase during the Great Depression due to the low cost of production, which made it an American household staple.
Popcorn today has many different flavors, brands, and seasonings, making it a very versatile food. Companies can range from large manufactures to small family-owned businesses. Production of corn in Iowa is relatively high compared to the rest of the country, allowing Iowa to be one of the top popcorn kernel producers in the United States. On average Americans consume about 68 quarts of popcorn each year and collectively consume 17.3 billion quarts annually.
Popcorn is not only a cost efficient snack, but it also obtains nutritional value. Fiber is abundant in popcorn, which promotes bowel movement and a healthy digestive system. It is also considered a whole grain, as it comes straight from the plant of corn. It has a glycemic index of 55, which means that your blood sugar will not spike as high after consuming it.
Having both fiber and a lower glycemic index means that popcorn would keep you fuller longer than some other snacks that include refined sugars. There is no better way to celebrate National Popcorn Month than to prepare some for yourself! https://www.popcorn.org/Nutrition/Popcorn-Nutritional-Information
There are many techniques to cook popcorn, whether that be air-popped, microwaved, or on a stove. Many false conceptions state that kernels need oil to pop into popcorn. Popcorn kernels actually “pop” due to a minuscule amount of moisture in the center, being brought to a high
temperature, and it explodes the kernel. An ideal popcorn kernel has about 13-14.5% moisture; with too much moisture or without any moisture, the corn would be unable to pop.
An alternative to using oil is to take a cup of popcorn kernels and put them in a brown paper bag. Fold the opening of the paper bag over to close it and microwave for 2-3 minutes. You can season this with salt, pepper, or cinnamon for a quick snack or movie night to enjoy National Popcorn Month!
Blog Post provided by: Anna Colagrossi