| Popcorn has been around for centuries longer | | | | candied or spicy concoctions. |
| than TV or movies. Ears of popcorn have been | | | | Corn poppers have been around for centuries, as |
| discovered in bat caves in Mexico that were | | | | decorated poppers have been found in Peru |
| 5,600 years old. Popped corn has been found in a | | | | around the same time of the Aztec Indians. The |
| southern Utah cave that was 1,000 years old. The | | | | first modern popcorn machine was invented in |
| explorer Cortez was introduced to this popular | | | | Chicago by Charles Cretors in 1888. His concept |
| snack in 1519 by the Aztec Indians, who not only | | | | continues this day and is used in theaters, though |
| considered the whole grain a part of their diet but | | | | the modern versions are powered by electricity |
| used the popped corn to make ceremonial | | | | instead of gas. Miniature popcorn machines are |
| headdresses, necklaces and ornaments to adorn | | | | now sold for residential use. |
| themselves and statues of their gods. | | | | Popcorn is a corn seed consisting of a hard shell |
| The colonists learned of this strange food from | | | | that covers a starchy interior that harbors about |
| Native Americans who skewered an oiled cob of | | | | 14% water. When exposed to heat the watery |
| corn and held it over a fire until the kernels | | | | content turns to steam and causes enough |
| exploded. These early Americans would then eat | | | | pressure that the kernel explodes and turns inside |
| the popped corn off of the cob. Colonists | | | | out. |
| invented the first puffed breakfast food by eating | | | | This whole grain food provides energy as a |
| popcorn in a bowl with cream or milk. | | | | complex carbohydrate. 3 cups of popped corn are |
| German brothers Frederick and Louis Rueckheim | | | | equal to 1 serving from the grain group and it is |
| were responsible for inventing the first flavored | | | | full of fiber. Fiber not only provides necessary |
| popcorn. They poured molasses over popcorn and | | | | dietary roughage but slows the digestive process |
| peanuts and sold it to customers. They later | | | | making one feel fuller for a longer period of time. |
| changed the formula so the molasses was drier | | | | As this snack is naturally fat and sugar free one |
| and crunchier. It was sold in popcorn bags at the | | | | cup only has 31 calories if air popped and 55 |
| Chicago World's fair in 1893. Today, popcorn | | | | calories if oil popped. |
| seasoning choices are limited only by taste and | | | | Fun and convenient to enjoy anytime, this historic |
| imagination as one can find caramel coated, | | | | snack is still offered in various recipes as a |
| cheese or chocolate covered, or various fruited, | | | | delicious gift to celebrate any occasion. |