The smell enters your nostrils whenever you walk past a movie theater, long before you buy a ticket; but to reduce the importance of popcorn to a “Hollywood” habit is to ignore thousands of years of history.
Today, January 19, is Popcorn Day, and you’ll learn more about this “superfood,” which has traveled from the campfires of pre-Columbian civilizations to our living rooms.
What is popcorn: a snack, a treat, or a sweet?
@pavel-danilyuk
To answer this question, first of all, let’s learn a little more about the history of this crunchy corn!
The first use of popcorn dates back to 3,600 BC, although the date is not very clear.
It was not until 1885 that the first commercial popcorn machine was invented by Charles Cretors in Chicago , after he realized that popping corn was a tradition among native peoples.
Popcorn as we know it today, which pops inside a paper bag in the microwave, only began to appear in the early 1980s (1981), making this food easier, faster, and more fun to consume.
The first celebration of Popcorn Day took place in 1988, coinciding with one of the most festive days in the United States: Super Bowl Sunday (NFL or American football).
However, it was not until 2003 that January 19 was officially designated as National Popcorn Day. No one knows exactly how this came about, only that it was published in a newspaper in Brownfield, Texas.
The physics of “pop”: what really happens?
@meg-boulden
It’s not magic, it’s thermodynamics. Unlike other grains, the shell of popcorn corn (the pericarp) is incredibly strong and impermeable, but its interior contains a small drop of water trapped in a circle of soft starch.
When heated, this water turns to steam, transforming the interior into a hot gelatinous mass. The pressure builds until the shell can’t take it anymore and… pop. The kernel explodes, turns inside out, and the steam rapidly expands the starch, creating that white, crunchy foam we love.
Just out of curiosity: the ideal popcorn corn “pops” at 180°C. If you do it at a lower temperature, the kernel just dries out and becomes hard.
Villain or superfood? The nutritional truth
@gustavo-sanchez
For years, popcorn has had a bad reputation, often associated with unhealthy diets. However, the problem has never been the corn, but rather what accompanies it.
In its pure form, popcorn is 100% whole grain.This means it is rich in fiber, essential for digestion, and contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help fight cellular aging and protect the cardiovascular system.
So, how can it be harmful to health? In its preparation:
- The “villain” version
- Industrialized movie theater or microwave popcorn, loaded with trans fats, excess sodium, and artificial flavors;
- The “Superfood” version
- Popcorn made in a pot or hot air popper, seasoned with herbs, spices, or just a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
4 places where you’ll love eating popcorn
@tima-miroshnichenko
You don’t have to be a child to enjoy this very special treat. That’s why we went in search of the best places to eat popcorn in Lisbon.
Traditionally, we’re more used to eating it in the dark at the movies, right? But today we’re going to introduce you to three new places where you can enjoy it to the fullest, whether sweet or salty, with or without toppings.
There aren’t many stores that sell popcorn exclusively, either nationally or internationally. That’s why this list includes places where you can eat it almost every day.
At the cinema, the most traditional way
Editorial Credit: bbernard / Shutterstock.com
There isn’t a movie theater in Lisbon that doesn’t have a popcorn counter, as popcorn is one of the main choices to accompany you while watching a movie, which , let’s face it, is still a very cool thing to do in Lisbon.
At home, the most convenient
@mart-production
Eating popcorn at home is one of the simplest things to do, ever since those paper bags were invented that pop hundreds of kernels in the microwave in three minutes.
And there are many situations in which you can eat popcorn at home, from a movie night at home, while playing video games, or simply at children’s birthday parties.
Want to make perfect popcorn at home without burning it? Forget those bags and use the stove, where the secret to getting all the kernels to pop without burning the bottom of the pan lies in managing the temperature.
Start by heating the oil (coconut or peanut oil withstand heat better than olive oil) over medium-high heat. Add just three kernels and cover; when those three kernels pop, remove them because the oil has reached the right temperature; remove the pan from the heat, add the rest of the corn (a single layer, don’t pile it up), cover, and count to 30 seconds (this step is crucial because it allows all the kernels to reach the same temperature before they start to pop; return to the heat and, as soon as the popping starts, shake the pan gently; leave the lid slightly ajar to allow the steam to escape because if the steam is trapped, the popcorn will be “rubbery” instead of crispy.
At home, but ordered online
@pepita.pt
If you don’t feel like buying that more industrial bag of popcorn at the supermarket, take note of this name: Pepita.
They are the best popcorn you can order for home, and they even come in several flavors, from Caramel Cinnamon, Salted Caramel, Spicy Caramel, and Classic Caramel.
You can order your favorite flavor, or all of them, through the Pepita website and then tell us how the experience was.
At JAC Brunch pancakes
@jac.brunch
This is probably the least known way to eat popcorn in Lisbon.
Unless you’ve already read our guide to the best pancakes in Lisbon, where you discovered one of the “strangest” and most delicious pancakes we’ve ever eaten.
The Salt & Sour Pancakes, which cost less than €10 (and are worth every cent), are made with ricotta cheese and served with bacon, salted caramel, and popcorn. We’re sure you’ll love them!
We’re sure that anyone who is a fan of sweet and savory combinations will take advantage of this tip to continue searching for the best popcorn in the city of Lisbon.
And you? How do you like them: sweet, savory, or spicy?
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