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Popcorn is one of the most beloved snack foods in the world. People have been eating popcorn for centuries. It is a low fat, relatively inexpensive treat that can be enjoyed year round. Many people do not realize popcorn has such an interesting history.
Popcorn was invented by Native Americans in Mexico. The oldest ears of popcorn were found by archeologists in New Mexico. These ears were found to be around 2,000 years old.
Popcorn spread to India and China before eventually ending up in North American where it was brought by European explorers. It caught on quick with the colonists in North America.
The colonists loved popcorn so much that they actually ate it for breakfast with cream and sugar. It is thought it was the first type of cereal.
Native Americans popped popcorn by throwing it on a stone in the fire. Eventually, they began popping it in clay and stone pots, which is how many tribes still pop it today. Popcorn is popped today in a variety of containers from popcorn machines to a pot on the stove to bags in the microwave.
The microwave oven was actually invented due to scientists trying to pop popcorn using microwaves. Today popping popcorn is one of the top uses for a microwave. It is such a common action that the majority of microwaves come with a popcorn button allowing for easy one touch popping.
During the Great Depression and World War II, popcorn was a popular snack food. This was due to the rationing of other snack foods and the availability and low cost of popcorn. The invention of the television slowed popcorn sales as more people were staying home and not going to the theater which at that time served as the major selling point for popcorn.
In 1885 Charles Cretors invented the first popcorn machine. As the steam engine became introduced, mobile popcorn machines were soon seen on street corners in towns across the United States.
Popcorn is a treasured treat. People all over the world enjoy eating popcorn. There are a variety of flavors and types of popcorn, ranging from the sweet to the savory. People add flavors such as caramel, cayenne and the traditional butter.
Popcorn is a tasty and interesting snack food. It is predominantly produced in the United States, specifically the mid western states. However, it is sold around the world.