Why do we eat popcorn at the movies? - Andrew Smith | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Popcorn is made by heating kernels, which burst due to steam pressure, and it originated from teosinte, a grass selectively bred by Indigenous people in Mexico.

Key Insights

• 👯 Popcorn originated from teosinte, a tall grass that Indigenous people selectively bred.
• 🍿 Popcorn kernels pop due to the pressure buildup from steam and starch.
• 🍿 European colonizers initially resisted popcorn but eventually began cultivating and popping corn.
• 🍿 Movies during the Great Depression popularized popcorn in theaters.
• 🍿 Popcorn sales contribute significantly to movie theater profits.
• 🍿 Popcorn varieties have expanded over the years through breeding techniques.
• 🍿 Microwavable popcorn contributed to popcorn's continued popularity.

Transcript

Soft percussion and a toasty scent mark the violent transformation of tough seeds into cloud-like puffs. This is the almost magical process of popcorn-making. But how did we actually end up with this whimsical food? All the corn eaten today is derived from a tall grass called teosinte, which Indigenous people in what is now southern Mexico began... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How does popcorn pop?

Popcorn kernels contain water and starch sealed within a hard shell called pericarp. When heated, the moisture turns into steam, increasing the internal pressure. The solid starch transforms into a gel-like substance, and the pressure eventually bursts the pericarp, forming fluffy popped corn.

Q: How did popcorn spread through the Americas?

Indigenous American people cultivated various maize varieties, including popcorn, which spread through parts of the Americas. European colonizers were initially reluctant, but eventually began cultivating and popping corn.

Q: When did popcorn gain popularity in movie theaters?

During the Great Depression in 1929, movies became a popular distraction, and popcorn provided an inexpensive luxury for moviegoers. Theater operators capitalized on the opportunity, and popcorn sales now generate nearly 40% of all movie theater profits.

Q: What led to the expansion of popcorn varieties?

Over the years, different preparations and breeding techniques have led to the development of dozens of popcorn varieties in the US. Different strains assume distinctive shapes when popped, such as "mushroom" and "butterfly" forms.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Popcorn is derived from teosinte, a type of grass with small kernels that explode when heated due to steam and starch.

• Indigenous American people selectively bred teosinte to develop larger kernels and thinner pericarps.

• Popcorn became popular during European colonization, particularly as a low-cost snack at events and movie theaters.