History of Popcorn - Gourmet Recipes

We all need a little time for rest and relaxation. One of my favorite ways to kick back and relax is with a big bowl of popcorn and a good movie. It is a way to take my mind off of the everyday demands we all face in this fast moving world we live in. To me, popcorn falls in the same category as mac-n-cheese; a true comfort food. It is an inexpensive way for a family to spend some enjoyable quality time together or for a single person to just unwind and forget about life for a while. Let's face it, there are very few people (and cats) who don't like a good movie and a bowl of popcorn to munch on.

Popcorn dates back to over 5,000 years ago making it one of the oldest snack foods still around and enjoyed today. Historians believe that our popcorn today originated from five sweet corns: Indian corn; pod corn; popcorn (not the popping variety); sweet corn and field corn from what is now the country of Mexico. The pollen from these corn varieties was discovered hundreds of feet in Mexico's ground.

Originally grown in Mexico, the corn became a popular food source globally even prior to the first European explorers. Here is where the first corn was tossed onto hot stones placed in the center of a raging campfire. As the corn kernels exploded, a game was made out of catching and eating the popped corn kernels and this is where the story of popcorn begins. It didn't take long and popcorn was soon in India and China. Soon it was known all over the globe.

North and South America popped corn well over a thousand years ago but also found it useful for other purposes. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered that the Western Native Indians found popped popcorn suitable as embellishments to headdresses, jewelry and other accessories. Many of Columbus' sailors purchased popcorn from the Indians to bring back to their respective homelands. The Colonists loved it and found the puffed kernels made a great breakfast cereal when sugar and milk was added. As popcorn increased in popularity all over the world, the variety of uses expanded and there was literally a popcorn explosion. With the Great Depression came a lack of food as well as money. Popcorn was the one luxury treat that still could be enjoyed because of it's cost. Although you won't find teenagers today wearing headdresses adorned with popcorn like the Native Indians many moons ago; many Christmas trees, today, are decorated with the colored popcorn strands lovingly made by the hands of a child.

• The popcorn industry rakes in billions of dollars a year in sales;
• In Arizona, the Papago Indians still pop their corn in huge clay pots up to eight feet wide just the same way they did over 1,500 years ago;
• Microwave popcorn was an experiment dating back to the mid 1900's;
• Microwave popcorn sales today brings in a cool $250 billion dollars yearly;
• Americans consume over one billion pounds of popcorn per year;
• Even our pets enjoy a kernel or two.

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Use Instructions from Steps (1) and (2) Above and Add 3 Tablespoons of Melted Peanut Butter, 3 Tablespoons of Sugar To Step (2). Step (3) Add 1/4 Cup of Chocolate Chips and 1/2 Cup of Honey Roasted Peanuts. Toss and Enjoy.

Movie Type: Nutty Comedy or Funny Chic Flick

Hot & Spicy Smokey Bacon

Use Instructions From Step (1). Melt 3 Tablespoons of Butter and Pour Over Popcorn. Blend 1/3 Cup Bacon Bits in a Food Processor Until It Is a Fine Powder. Sprinkle the Bacon Powder and 1 Teaspoon of Smoked Spanish Paprika Over the Popcorn. Toss and Enjoy.

Movie Type: Hot & Spicy or Action Packed