Sarah


 


= = =All about Popcorn = 

__Popcorn History__
Popcorn has been around for a long time. The oldest popcorn was discovered in a bat cave. The popcorn kernels were over 5,600 years old and they could still be popped! It is believed that the first popcorn came from corn growing in a cornfield that became overheated. The corn kernels actually began to "pop", creating "popcorn". The first people that made popcorn were the Aztecs hundreds of years ago in Mexico. They would not only eat the popcorn, but would wear it as jewelry too. They would use their popcorn necklaces and bracelets to barter with other tribes.

__Popcorn Today__
= =  Popcorn has developed throughout the years and is now made many different ways. An easy way to enjoy popcorn is to head to a movie theater. Just about every theater sells popcorn at their concession counter.  = = <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> =<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> = =<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> = <span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">To enjoy popcorn at home, some people make popcorn on their stovetop. Others use electric popcorn makers that blow hot air over the kernels to make them pop. But, the most popular way to make popcorn at home today is in the microwave. <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> When you eat microwave popcorn, do you: <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> 1) Dream about its delicious taste? 2) Think about how it was invented? <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Popcorn was the first food to be microwaved deliberately. In 1946 Dr. Percy Spencer was part of the Raytheon Corporation and was experimenting with a magnetron (a new type of vacuum tube) when he noticed that the chocolate candy bar in his pocke <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">t <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> had melted from the heat. Dr. Spencer wondered if this would happen with any other food products. After experimenting with various other food items (including an egg that exploded!), he put popcorn kernels in his magnetron oven and successfully made the first batch of microwave popcorn. Dr. Spencer and Ratheon realized they were on to something and continued on to develop the <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">first **<span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">microwave popcorn **<span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">. =<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> = =<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> = <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(149,70,149); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Another favorite way to cook popcorn today is in a giant iron or copper kettle over a blazing hot wood fire. This popcorn is called **<span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">kettle corn **<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">. Take a trip to the county fair and buy a bag of old-fashioned kettle corn. Your family will never want plain popcorn again! You may also find it at places like outdoor festivals and sports tournaments. But if you can't wait until the next carnival to get some, there is an easy way to make it at home. I'll tell you how to make it at the end of this page. <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> __** Popcorn Flavors **__ <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(10,169,10);">
 * <span style="font-size: 144%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Most of you probably answered question number one, but now that you have question number two in your head, let's answer it. **<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
<span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Popcorn flavors have come a long way from the simple choice of butter or no butter, and with or without salt. Although buttered popcorn is still by far the most popular flavor, today <span style="font-size: 145.2%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">popcorn is made in a multitude of creative flavors. In fact, one store named Popcorn Universe in Lakemore, Ohio, makes over 160 different flavors! Check out some of the unique tasting popcorn below. <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Which one would YOU like to try? <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(10,169,10);">
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">white cheddar
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">butter
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">nacho cheddar
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">parmesan and garlic
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ranch
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">sour cream and onion
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">caramel
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">kettle corn
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">jalapeno
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">butter toffee
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">chocolate marshmallow
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">grape
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cinnamon toast
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">bubble gum
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">blueberry cheesecake
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">peanut butter
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cotton candy

<span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Not exciting enough for you? Consider trying one of these flavors of popcorn! <span style="font-size: 140%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Recipes ** <span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> ====<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-size: 80%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Stovetop Popcorn ** <span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> ====
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">bacon and cheese
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">ketchup
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">dill pickle
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">pink lemonade
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">honey mustard
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">cinnamon toast
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Check out even more flavors of popcorn at [|www.popcornuniverse.com]

<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">4 tablespoons melted butter (optional)
<span style="color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> ====<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Directions__ <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">: ==== <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(102,0,0);"><span style="color: rgb(0,128,0);"> <span style="font-size: 130%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**<span style="font-size: 153%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Homemade Kettle Corn ** <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(102,0,0);"> <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Ingredients__: <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(10,169,10);"> <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">1 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/2 cup popcorn kernels 1 Tbsp granulated sugar 1 Tbsp salt
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Place oil in the bottom of a deep 6 quart capacity saucepan and set on top of stove. The pan needs to be deep because the corn kernels need room to pop and grow.
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Turn on the stove burner heat to medium and do the following test: Add 3 popcorn kernels to the oil to check whether the oil is hot enough for the popcorn kernels to begin popping. Cover pot securely with lid.
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Once you hear the 3 kernels begin to pop, open the lid, quickly add the rest of the popcorn kernels, then replace the lid.<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">While the corn pops, it is important to lift and shake the pot occasionally. This helps to distribute the kernels in the oil and lessens the chance of the popcorn burning while it pops. Do not leave the popcorn pot unattended! Stay and listen to the popping. IMMEDIATELY after the popping sound stops (about 5 minutes or less), remove the pot from the stove.
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Be careful when removing the lid, as popping corn can pop up to three feet high! Add melted butter and salt to taste.

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 115%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Directions__ <span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">: <span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Pretty much the exact same instructions as those above, except you add the sugar and salt to the pot when you add the popcorn and then you don’t add any butter at the end. __Note__: Be sure to use an older pot when making kettle corn as the crystallized sugar can burn on the bottom, leaving little spots. __More Interesting Popcorn facts__ ** =<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> = <span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~ Americans consume 16 billion quarts of popcorn each year.
 * <span style="font-size: 175%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~ Only specific corn can become popcorn because it must contain a certain moisture content to be able to pop.
<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 121%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~ <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">Popcorn is actually a frozen <span style="font-size: 111.1%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">explosion. As the outside of the kernel heats up, the moisture inside expands and causes it to explode. Once exposed to air it quickly cools and freezes as a piece of popcorn. <span style="font-size: 162.38%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~January 19th is National Popcorn Day.
<span style="font-size: 110%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~The world's largest popcorn festival is held in the small town of Marion, Ohio, USA and always takes place on the weekend after Labor Day.<span style="font-size: 134.2%; color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Marion, Ohio is also home to the world's only popcorn museum. ====<span style="color: rgb(255,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">~ Popcorns are listed by the American Pediatrics Society as one of the top foods that children under one year old should not eat because it poses a choking hazard. ==== <span style="font-size: 210%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Credits ** <span style="font-size: 118.8%; color: rgb(0,0,255); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__http://www.popcornfestival.com__ <span style="font-size: 118.8%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> [|http://www.popcornuniverse.com] <span style="font-size: 132%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 95%; color: rgb(0,0,0); font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|http://www.gallawa.com/microtech/history.html] <span style="color: rgb(230,230,10); font-family: Comic Sans MS;">[] [|http://deniseskitchen.wordpress.com/2008/01/27/homemade-kettlecorn-and-popcorn] []
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