What type of corn is used to make popcorn?

Popcorn, also known as popping corn, is a type of corn (maize) that expands from the kernel and puffs up when heated. Popcorn is able to pop because its kernels have a hard moisture-sealed hull and a dense starchy interior. When heated, pressure builds within the kernel, and a small explosion (or "pop") is the end result. Some strains of corn are now cultivated specifically for fine popcorn making.

It's important for corn to explode inside out in a proper way! Not every type of corn suits the recipe: the thickness of the outside layer and the amount of starch inside are important. One of the oldest forms of corn was found in Mexico, which is the evidence of popcorn cooking.

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32 Comments

Ian Sadler

I never thought I would be grateful to my first school for starting us on Latin at 9 - and I'm not, but at least I can work out the meaning of "everta"

Audrey Thorson

I find that I use Latin more than I thought I would when I was in high school.

Tony Gratton

Pop a top and have a beer.

John McLardie

Bill Coe, all rice is 'grass'

Claudia Heilke

Keith Darby, nonsense. Popcorn is a whole grain and quite good for you if you make it yourself and don't put butter on it.

mkrash

Thought so

debrarice

I'm certain to remember this.

Bill Coe

You can also pop "wild rice" although it does not expand quite so dramatically. Wild rice is actually not rice at all but a type of marsh grass.

Bill Coe

All of the above is the bottom choice now. And I don't know how they did that because I thought the answers were always sorted alphabetically. (Which would mean that All of the above WOULD be at the top),

Evelyn Forbes

Didn't know that!

Mildred Savidge

It seems you could use some more proof readers - I have found a number of grammatical and spelling errors before this in various questions. Here, you placed "all of the above" as the first choice in a list of choices. It isn't a decent detractor if in the wrong place, as there was NO answer above that answer. Either put the "all of the above" detractor at the bottom of the list, or have it say "all of the below" if you have to put it at the top of the list.