For centuries, people have been fascinated by popcorn. Native Americans believed that a tiny spirit lived inside each popcorn kernel, and when heated, the spirit would get angry and fly away, disgruntled that it had been chased out of its home. Now, we all know that scientifically, this isn’t the case, but why does popcorn pop?
Inside each and every kernel of popcorn is a droplet of water housed inside a little bit of starch. When we toss that bag of popcorn into the microwave, the water droplets within the kernels expand with the added heat. When the internal temperature of each kernel reaches 212 degrees, the water turns into steam. The pressure builds up and…POP! The hull of the kernel breaks open. The steam within the kernel is released and the starch inside the popcorn becomes inflated and spills out, becoming the odd shape that we know to be popcorn!
Believe it or not, popcorn is a tasty treat that is actually good for you! Popcorn does not contain any additives or preservatives and is a great source of fiber. Popcorn is also great for diabetics because it does not impact blood sugar levels. This tasty treat does not contain any fat or cholesterol, so eat away! Just be wary of the amount of butter that your popcorn is coated with.
For ways to spice up your popcorn treat check out the following website. From caramel apple to Mexican churro, this website contains over 27 ways to spice up your favorite treat. Healthy Popcorn Recipies
As always, moderation is key. But, you don’t have to worry too much since this tasty treat is going in the books for its nutritional value!
Bibliography
The Food Plate
