Who invented popcorn: the history of invention and properties

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Popcorn for us today is directly associated with a cinema or watching movies, videos, in general, leisure activities. One has only to smell its aroma, as fantasy immediately rages with colors: someone remembers pleasant moments from their lives, and someone dreams of a long-awaited vacation. Have you ever wondered who invented this "snack", who invented popcorn as we know it now, and how it became so popular.

The appearance of corn

It is known from history that such a crop as corn was bred about 7 thousand years ago. For the first time it began to be grown in the expanses of Mexico, in mountainous areas. And already in the first century of our era, corn became a staple food in America.

This special variety of corn used to make popcorn can be stored for a very long time under the right conditions. For example, archaeologists have found whole grains in burials in Peru. And the age of this find was determined as more than a thousand years. There were also vessels for making popcorn.

Who inventedpopcorn

There are several versions as to who became the author of this popular snack. However, history is silent about personalities, so the invention is awarded to the nations.

According to some sources, the discoverers of the "exploding corn", or rather, accidental witnesses of this property of corn, were the ancient Indians. People made special clay (later metal) vessels for cooking maize in this way. Another method was to place the whole cob in hot oil.

At that time, popcorn became the prototype of "fast food", because it is very light and satisfying, you could take it on the road to refresh yourself. It was consumed not only dry, but also poured with hot water.

Another version of who invented popcorn speaks of the Mexican origin of "exploding corn". The Mexicans, in turn, got popcorn by placing it on hot sand or rocks. Invading Mexico (1519), Hernán Cortes was very surprised at how the people treated such food, since it was the main part of the diet.

This product came to Europe only in 1630.

Popcorn sales peaked in the United States during the Great Depression. Popcorn has always been a cheap treat, so rich and poor alike can afford it.

Popcorn with various flavors was invented by Friedrich Rückheim at the end of the 19th century. It was he who first prepared sweet popcorn, deciding to add to itboiled caramel and much more that lovers of this delicacy really liked.

As for how popcorn got into the cinema and why it causes such an association, then it is worth noting the merit of Samuel Rubin. It was he who came up with this idea, thanks to him we can buy popcorn in special cardboard packages.

Thus, it is no longer possible to know who invented popcorn, but over the centuries this delicacy has gained worldwide popularity. It is enough to know the amazing fact that this "dish" has passed through the millennia, not particularly modified, but only slightly improved with additives.

In the United States of America there is a special day dedicated to this delicacy. Popcorn Day is marked on the calendar on January 22.

Popcorn machine

The popper, or special popcorn machine, was invented by a scientist named Charles Critors in 1885. This invention looked like a tank with a special handle that set it in motion and mixed the corn grains. It is worth noting that this was a rather cumbersome construction.

A little later, poppers began to run on gas or steam and were much reduced in size. Thanks to this, it became possible to transport popcorn for sale on the streets, for example. The popcorn machine has become a portable source of income.

Poppers were sold for home use in 1925. With the invention of microwave ovens, making popcorn at home has become even easier. In 1945Percy Spencer discovered that corn kernels explode when exposed to microwaves. But specially prepared packages of grains for microwave ovens were put into mass production only in 1984. Since then, microwave popcorn has become a national treasure and one of the favorite treats.

Why popcorn explodes

We all know that one cup of speci alty corn makes a big bowl of delicious treats. But what happens when the beans are heated to a certain temperature?

The reason for this is the large amount of moisture in each grain. We also know that not all grains end up exploding, and if you wait until the “last grain”, then the whole popcorn may simply burn. And the grains do not explode just if there is not enough moisture in them.

It is also important that the grains are whole, with an intact shell, as this will gradually evaporate the moisture and the grain will not burst.

Thus, a drop of water in a corn kernel, when heated, turns into steam, the expansion of which leads to a breakthrough of the shell.

Useful properties of popcorn

First of all, it is worth noting that popcorn contains polyphenol antioxidants. There are more of them here than in some vegetables and fruits.

Also popcorn contains fiber and vitamin A, B vitamins and complex carbohydrates. All this is good for the body. But it's important to know that popcorn is not a low-calorie food. 100 grams of snack contains 300 kcal.

You need to remember thatcorn for popcorn needs a special variety, since only it has these properties and produces a delicious snack.

Harmful properties of popcorn

The main "badness" of popcorn lies not in the grains themselves or the way they are prepared, but in the additives they contain.

If you make your own popcorn at home, you will probably know the ingredients. It would be better, of course, if you add a little olive oil, s alt or sugar. But this will increase the calorie content of the product. At the same time, the food will remain he althy and will not harm he alth, as a nutritional supplement of unknown composition can do if it is abused.