Archive for April 17th, 2009
How Did Popcorn Become King?
Today, popcorn might conjure images of multiplex theaters, but it has actually been a staple in our daily lives for many, many years. Popcorn was said to be first discovered by Native American Indians. Unlike today’s popcorn fans, who greet the popping sound of popcorn with salivating glee, Native Americans considered the popping sound to be an angry god escaping the captivity of the kernel. And while it was introduced to the general public long before, popcorn became truly popular during the Great Depression.
As the nation struggled to make money and stay afloat, the popcorn industry still thrived. As a snack food, it was comparatively cheaper than everything else. In that economic climate, this was obviously desirable. Continuing popcorn’s popularity, the nation saw severe sugar rations during World War II, and this diminished intake of candy only served to bolster popcorn all the more. Today, it remains a very popular snack, coming in previously unimaginable and creative flavors and forms.