Popcorn, a favorite snack to many dating back 5,600 years ago. That's right, 5,600 years ago. Popcorn is one of the oldest snack around. It's said to have originated in Mexico. Some of the native tribes believed that contented spirits lived inside of each popcorn kernel and when their houses were heated, the spirits would become angrier and angrier, shaking the kernels. Then, when the heat became unbearable, they would burst out of their homes and into the air in a disgruntled puff of steam. There was a method of eating the popcorn where they popped it on the ear and ate it like regular corn, only popped! The natives also made popcorn beer and popcorn soup. Explorers Columbus and Cortez have recorded seeing the natives wear popcorn on corsages, necklaces, and headdresses. They were always munching on popcorn and Columbus even describes the treat being sold to his crew. I'd say it was a hit.
Before the Europeans arrived to North America, popcorn had spread globally to India, China and Sumatra. When the colonists arrived they fell in love with popcorn. The natives would bring it to feasts and it was served at the first Thanksgiving.
The first puffed breakfast cereal was actually popcorn. Colonists ate it with sugar and some cream.
When the great depression hit, popcorn consumption rose due to how cheap it was, it was one of the few luxuries that Americans could afford. In the mid 1800s-1920 some of the popular popcorn flavors were: orange & lemon juice, rose, peppermint, honey, vanilla, molasses, and sugar. Popcorn balls have been around forever as well. A party book from 1912 gives tips on throwing a "Popcorn Frolic." It was not unusual at the time to throw a popcorn party. They decorated the house with popcorn, played popcorn games, gave away popcorn gifts, and, of course, consumed popcorn.
Today we have places like Austin popcorn where they make over forty gourmet flavors of popcorn. Popcorn, as it turns out, is rich in history.
I found some bacon popcorn and thought I'd share, lol, it's only because I love you guys. :3
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Popcorn is cool. I think it's cool when I go to the movies and add buncha cruncha, it's chocolate, makes a good combination.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I had no idea that popcorns dated back circa 3600 B.C. I am astonished to find that out. Nonetheless, is interesting to know that they were originated in Mexico, and even more fascinating to know that the natives believed that the popcorns were spirits incarcerated in a corn’s seed, and when heated the spirits would “pop” out. This believe exemplifies how humans explain the things that they don’t understand, by creating stories and myths that later on can actually turn into religions, like the so called “sponge Bob religion.” Another interesting fact about popcorns is how transcendental they have become. They were initially discovered 5600 years ago and they are still extremely popular, you can’t find one single movie theater that doesn’t have a concession stand selling popcorns. Overall popcorns are great, and knowing a little more of its history was pleasurable.
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