National Popcorn Day 2024: Mark your calendars, popcorn enthusiasts, because Friday, January 19th, 2024, is a day dedicated to celebrating the ultimate snack: National Popcorn Day! This fluffy, crunchy delight transcends generations and cultures, bringing joy with every satisfying pop and buttery bite.
What is the History of National Popcorn Day?
While the origin of National Popcorn Day remains a bit obscure, it's most likely a celebration born out of America's enduring love for this fluffy snack. Here's the history of popcorn.
Popcorn's history stretches back far beyond designated days, with evidence of its consumption dating back to 5,600 years ago! Archaeologists have discovered fossilized popcorn kernels in Mexico, suggesting their use by ancient civilizations like the Aztecs and Mayans. They popped kernels over open fires, using them for food, religious ceremonies, and even decoration.
The Popcorn Org mentions: “It is believed that the first use of wild and early cultivated corn was popping. The oldest ears of popcorn ever found were discovered in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico in 1948 and 1950. Ranging from smaller than a penny to about 2 inches, the oldest Bat Cave ears are about 4,000 years old.”
What are Some Interesting Facts About Popcorns?
Popcorn, the fluffy king of snacks, is more than just a movie companion! Here are 11 fascinating facts about this amazing snack:
- Popcorn is over 5000 years old.
- According to History.com, in the “1890s, a Chicago entrepreneur named Charles Cretors built the first popcorn-popping machine.”
- During World War II Americans ate three times as much popcorns in comparison to their usual consumption
- The world's largest popcorn ball weighed over 9,300 pounds, standing over 8 feet tall.
- According to the National Agricultural Library, the United States is the world’s largest producer of popcorn. It states: “Nearly all of the world's popcorn production is in the United States, with 25 states growing the crop.”
- The secret behind popcorn's fluffy expansion lies in a tiny water droplet inside each kernel. When heated, the water turns into steam, building pressure until the kernel explodes, turning the starch inside into a light and airy puff.
- According to the American Chemical Society, there are two main popcorn shapes: butterfly and mushroom, determined by the way the kernel splits open.
- Unpopped kernels are affectionately called "old maids" or "spinsters."
- While we think of popcorn as a savoury treat, in the 1800s, it was often eaten as a cereal with milk and sugar.
- In 1949, popcorn was briefly banned from movie theaters in Chicago because the loud popping noises were disrupting screenings.
- According to the Washoe County Library System, “The scientific name for popcorn is Zea mays everta.”
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