The History Of Popcorn – America’s Favorite Snack
Some people believe that the birth of popcorn began with the invention of movies. Believe it or not, archeologists discovered that popcorn pollen dated back 80,000 years ago in Mexico City. Because of this discovery, researchers believe that popcorn may have even been enjoyed by cavemen. The oldest known popcorn was discovered in tombs located in Peru believed to be dated 5,600 years ago.

The most popular stories of popcorn were those among Europeans coming to North America, met by Native Americans adorned with necklaces and headdresses made of popcorn. Native Americans brought a bag of popcorn to the first Thanksgiving dinner and later colonists enjoyed popcorn as a puffed breakfast cereal served with cream or milk.

Eating popcorn became popular in the latter Nineteenth Century through the middle Twentieth Century in the United States. It was a popular snack not only at the movies, but was sold in parks by street Venders. During World War II because of sugar rationing, America’s favorite snack became popcorn. People even used popcorn to decorate their Christmas trees. Today popcorn is still a favorite snack among Americans.

To prepare popcorn, Native Americans would take the ears of corn and place them on sticks dipped in oil and cook them over open fires. Methods of cooking popcorn has changed over the years. People began cooking popcorn in a metal pan with oil, then to popcorn poppers that air-puffed the popcorn. Now the most popular and easiest way to enjoy a hot bowl of popcorn, is in the microwave.

Microwave popcorn comes in many flavors, such as butter, caramel, cheddar cheese, and kettle corn. It is surprising to know just how long popcorn has been in existence and that it remains one of the world’s favorite snacks.