19th January - Popcorn Day

Written by Anne Newman 19th January 2020 updated 2023

Popcorn is a snack made by heating corn or maize kernels. When heated – either in a microwave or on the stove – the hullon, the outside of the kernels, break or “pop” creating the delicious snack we call popcorn.

When I was growing up popcorn was made in a saucepan on the stovetop. Woe betide you if you forgot to keep the lid on the saucepan. Do you know that Popcorn can ‘jump’up to 3 feet in the air? With the coming of the microwave in the1980’s, we moved on to microwaving popcorn in a bag.

This is a great website of information - Popcorn.org - History

The Aztecs used popcorn to decorate their clothes, create ceremonial embellishments, and also for nourishment. They put popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honouring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility.

Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower.

Native Americans have also been found to consume and use popcorn in their day to day lives. In a cave in Utah, thought to be inhabited by Pueblo Native Americans, popcorn has been found that dates back to over 1,000 years.

French explorers who traveled to the New World discovered popcorn being made by the Iroquois in the Great Lakes region. As colonists moved around North America, many people adopted popcorn as a popular and healthy treat.

Theres so many ways to eat it.

There’s the classic mix of butter and salt, or get creative. You can add your favourite spices and herbs to it, like rosemary and thyme, or spice it up with cayenne! There’s Candied Popcorn, Cheesy Popcorn. You can have it tossed with nuts and chocolate. I’ve even heard of Caramel and Bacon popcorn. When I first went to Florida, I was amazed to see popcorn in the Supermarket in plastic tubes that were sold by the yard!!

However you like to enjoy yours, what better day to treat yourself than today!

And if you need more on cooking popcorn, then here’s a lesson from the infamous Swedish Chef.