Have you ever wondered where popcorn comes from? When I was a kid, I used to think that I could dry out the corn kernels from my summertime corn-on-the-cob and use them to make popcorn. When I finally got the guts to dry out the kernels and pop them, they burned and got stuck to the bottom of the pan.

As it turns out, the corn that we typically eat is different than the kernels that become popcorn. There’s only one variety of maize that will make it – Zea mays everta. Though it looks like a typical corn kernel, this particular variety is the only one that has the ability to pop and turn into a delicious snack.



Brief History of Popcorn Archaeologists have discovered that people have known about popcorn for thousands of years. In Mexico, for example, they’ve found remnants of popcorn that dates to around 3600 BC! Many historians even believe that popcorn is the first corn that humans even knew about. Even though common folklore indicates that the Native Americans showed the settlers how to make popcorn, there’s no evidence to substantiate that. One thing is certain, though – it became a popular treat during the Great Depression because it was so inexpensive. People all over the world have been eating it regularly ever since.

Strains of Popcorn There are several popular varieties of maize that are cultivated in the United States. However, only one of them, the Zae mays everta variety, will actually pop. Though this may seem limited, there are about one hundred different strains of this corn and each of them vary according to flavor, texture, and how they pop. For example, one strain of popcorn pops up into a snowflake pattern and another looks like a mushroom. Caramel popcorn manufacturers usually use the mushroom style popcorn because it’s denser and maintains its texture during the process. Snowflake-style popcorn, however, is the most popular for snacking.

Growing Popcorn Kernels The United States is the world’s biggest producer of popcorn. It typically grows in states like Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska. One acre of land uses almost 30,000 seeds. Once the plant is fully mature, the corn is picked and fed through a combine, which removes the kernels from the cob. These kernels are then dried in a special container, which optimizes the moisture level for popping. The kernel needs to maintain around a 14% moisture level in order for it to pop. This particular variety of maize easily turns into popcorn because of this moisture level.