Posts Tagged ‘why does popcorn pop’
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.