International Popcorn Day

In Today's Issue

International Popcorn Day
Popcorn
Popcorn Kernels of Truth
Random Joke
Funny Fobia
Finish with a Song


International Popcorn Day

January 19 is Popcorn Day, a day to organize an impromptu movie night, just so that you can enjoy a tub or two of crunchy, salty and buttery popcorn. Or, if you have a sweet tooth, treat yourself to some delicious caramel popcorn.

Popping Corn

Popcorn is a snack made by heating corn or maize kernels. When heated – either in a microwave oven or on the hob – the hull on the outside of the kernels break or “pop” creating the delicious snack we call popcorn.

Long and Varied History

Popcorn has a very long and varied history. Historians believe that corn whose kernels could be popped was first cultivated around 5000 B.C.E in Mexico. Archaeologists have found evidence of first popcorn maker – a utensil with holes and a handle – dating back to 400 C.E. in Peru.

In many indigenous cultures, corn and popcorn were used for religious purposes and decoration.

Popular Cinema Snack

Popcorn became popular in the early 1900s. Now a popular cinema snack, theatre owners initially were against serving popcorn in their premises. During the depression, however, popcorn became one of the few luxuries that people could afford forcing owners to start selling popcorn. Today, it is a huge part of the cinematic experience.

Popcorn's fortunes fell as video recorders became popular and people started watching films at home. The invention of microwave oven popcorn and home popcorn machines once again brought popcorn into the lives of movie aficionados.

Popcorn is also often used for decoration and as packaging material.

Did You Know…

...that popcorn is the official snack food of the State of Illinois, United States?

Popcorn

Sweet or salty

Buttery or dry

Popcorn in the pan

Watch it fly

It jumps in the air

Like fleas on a dog

Teeny tiny treats

Albino frogs

But some don't leap

Some don't pop

Kernels of corn

That are a flop

They lay there and hide

Hidden in the feast

Camouflaged rocks

Teeth breaking beasts!

It’s Healthy for You! – As a low-calorie snack, popcorn only contains 31 calories per serving and that’s for a whole cup of popcorn. Compare this to the same serving size of crisps, which contains 139 calories.

It’s Allergen-Free. Gluten intolerant folks can rejoice knowing that popcorn is completely free of all major allergens, including gluten, soy, dairy, egg and nuts! Freshly-popped kernels, either air-popped or hob-popped with just a hint of salt, fits the bill here. 

Did Someone Say Whole Grains? Popcorn is 100% whole grain and contains fibre and antioxidants. New studies show popcorn may actually contain more antioxidants than a days worth of fruits and vegetables

Old Maid?! Unpopped popcorn kernels (You know, the ones left in the bottom of the bowl…) are referred to as old maids. 

Water Makes the Kernel Pop! – Each tiny kernel contains just a small amount of water, and when that reaches a certain temperature (certain = 347 degrees), the water turns to steam and the kernel POPS!

There are approximately 1,600 kernels in a single cup of unpopped popcorn.

Kernels can pop upwards of three feet high!

I went for a bite to eat at an upmarket burger van last night... It had 4 Michelin tyres.

Globophobia

People suffering from this phobia feel morbid fear at the thought, sight, touch or even smell of balloons. Most individuals, however, are only afraid of the sound made by the popping of balloons. As with any phobia, the symptoms of Globophobia vary depending on the roots of the fear.

Finish with a Song

This is Popcorn by Hot Butter... 1972 !!