Archive for August, 2009
A Kernel of Historical Truth
Today, popcorn is an essential part of any serious movie-watching experience. Likewise, the tasty snack is a slumber party staple. But popcorn has been around since long before either of these pastimes were conceived. Archaeologists poking around in the subterranean tunnels below Mexico City discovered fossilized popcorn kernels that have been carbon dated and confirmed as more than 80,000 years old. Perhaps most surprisingly, those ancient pieces of popcorn bear a striking resemblance to our modern movie theater fare.
Prior to the colonization of America, popcorn was a fixture of many native diets. Chieftains wore clothing adorned with popcorn, and the substance was used to make a diverse variety of dishes including soup and beer. The snack caught on immediately with settlers, and it continues to stand as a cultural touchstone of our civilization. Popcorn history is rich with tales of delicious discovery, but wouldn’t you rather eat a handful than read about it?
Branching out with Popcorn
Most Americans readily recognize that popcorn is a glorious snack that can be enjoyed in its traditional state – sprinkled with salt and drenched in butter. Variety is the spice of life, however, and it can be fun to shake things up once in a while. The following guide to making brown sugar lollipops is only one of many diverse popcorn recipes you can create at home.
Ingredients:
6 cups popcorn, popped
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup honey
1/3 cup water
1 Tbsp. butter
cooking spray
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
mini pretzel sticks
Directions:
1. Bring brown sugar, honey and water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until sugar caramelizes.
2. Add butter and stir. Pour mixture over top of popcorn, tossing for consistency.
3. Spray hands with cooking spray and shape the popcorn into balls. Use pretzel sticks to create lollipop handles.
4. Roll the balls in cinnamon and sugar, then cover with clear wrap.
Pop Quiz
It’s human nature to explore different food combinations and preparation techniques. We should not be surprised to discover, then, that the Native Americans were enjoying popcorn for years before European settlers learned of the unique snack. To this day, people love to eat popcorn by the handful, especially in movie theaters. Between bites, the more inquisitive folks stop and wonder: Why does popcorn pop?
Popcorn is different from most other grains in that its kernels are rock-hard on the outside and moist on the inside. A certain amount of oil collects inside the kernel, and the impermeable shell keeps the moisture from escaping. Enough heat will transform the wetness inside into steam, which pressurizes until bursting out of the shell. The proteins that were once trapped inside the shell are released in a foamy substance that eventually cools into fluffy popcorn.