Some more interesting fun facts.

The smell and sound of popping popcorn is one that entices the senses of the young and the young at heart, which is enough to make our mouths water.  It is the perfect snack for just about any occasion, but makes movie nights even more special.  And with the many flavors of popcorn, you’re sure to have a different popcorn experience for every movie night.

But have you ever wondered why popcorn pops?  Sure, it’s a real tasty and delicious snack, but do you actually know what’s in popcorn that makes it pop?  After all, you see them before you put it in the microwave or popper and they’re just hard corn kernels.  So why does it pop and “bloom” into the puffy popcorn after exposed to heat?

The answer is pretty simple, and there’s no magic behind it.  Popcorn kernels contain water, which is the reason behind the popping of popcorn.  Inside the hard and tough outer casing of every popcorn kernel is actually a tiny amount of water stored in soft starch.

But what does this water have to do with the popping of popcorn?  Why does it pop only after exposing it to a certain temperature?

When the kernel is exposed to heat at about 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the moisture changes into steam, thereby creating pressure from within.  The pressure builds up and eventually, the hard outer casing gives way, and the kernel bursts and pops when it couldn’t take any more pressure.  The water then escapes in the form of steam, and the kernel is turned inside out to form the puffy, white and tasty popcorn that is ready to be eaten.

That is how popcorn is popped.  There’s actually a science behind it, and it will forever change the way you look at popcorn.  Now you can feel satisfied knowing that piece of information about how your favorite tasty snack is prepared.  It will make your next movie nights even more enjoyable and fulfilling.

So the next time you and your friends or family members get together and plan movie nights, you can volunteer to be in charge of popcorn and marvel about the interesting and fascinating science behind the popping of popcorn while watching it pop everywhere inside the popper or microwave.

You can even share this piece of information with them too, so that they can also appreciate this simple snack that packs some amazing science in it.