Saturday, January 19, 2019

National Popcorn Day Review

Bowl of popcorn on table in front of a fireplace
Popcorn Image Source: Pixabay
National Popcorn Day is held each year on January 19, although there is some debate about the date.  Some say it is celebrated on the 'Big Game' day (Superbowl Sunday).  No one knows the origin of this fun holiday, but whoever began the tradition obviously had good taste.



Field of corn
Source: Pixabay
Having recently moved to Iowa where I can drive about 5 miles in any direction and be surrounded by fields of corn, I became interested in learning more about Popcorn Day. 






What is Popcorn?



Jar of popcorn
Source: Pixabay

Popcorn is a seed that does something nifty when heated.


Corny Facts



There are four kinds of corn. The sweet corn we all love in summertime, dent corn (field corn) that is grown mainly for livestock feed and some food products, Flint corn (best known as Indian corn) used mostly for decoration around harvest time, and popcorn, which is a type of flint corn but has it's own unique characteristics.  Popcorn is grown specifically for popping. You cannot pop sweet corn, for instance, and you wouldn't want to eat field corn. 


History of Popcorn



Popcorn dates back thousands of years.  An interesting bit of history can be found on the website Popcorn . org.

Today, Americans consume over 13 billion quarts of popcorn each year, which translates to about 42 quarts per person.  


Movie theater popcorn with theater tickets
Image Source: Pixabay

It is one of the most popular snack foods, and an absolute necessity at a movie theater.  Just wouldn't be the same going to a movie without having popcorn! 

Popcorn is also a favorite around holidays, especially Christmas, as a food, as gifts and as decorations.  Who hasn't strung popcorn as a kid to put on the Christmas tree? 


Cute and Clever Popcorn Gifts


Crocheted Popcorn Playfood


Hand crocheted bag of popcorn playfood
Popcorn Playfood on Etsy
This red and white striped popcorn bag with individual kernels of popcorn  hand sewn to the top is a  fun gift to add to your child's collection of playfood for 'pretend' movie time or snack times.  

Hand crocheted by Kyra of Cottage Grove, Minnesota, it can be found in her Etsy Shop called "The Bossy Princess"






Popcorn Socks

Funny socks with popcorn theme
Funny Socks for Popcorn Lovers

These popcorn socks make the perfect gift for any Popcorn Lover!

Cute socks for popcorn lovers created by Wine A Little Gifts on Etsy.


Popcorn Recipes



The Popcorn website has a large variety of popcorn recipes to suit any occasion.  Some delicious-looking recipes are available on the Popcorn website under Recipe Portal.


A Super Bowl Popcorn Snack  


Caramel Pretzel Nut Popcorn


Caramel Pretzel Nut Popcorn image
Caramel Pretzel Nut Popcorn Image Source: AllRecipes


This tasty favorite from AllRecipes would be perfect for the upcoming Super Bowl Sunday or for a weekend of watching any favorite televised sport. 

Directions:

Take 8 cups broken salted pretzels, about 20 cups of popped popcorn and 4 cups of dry roasted peanuts and place them all in a large paper bag (or VERY large bowl). 

Meanwhile, combine 3 cups of brown sugar, 3/4 cup light corn syrup and 1-1/2 cups butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook - stirring constantly to melt the butter and dissolve the sugar - until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking at full boil for 5 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in one teaspoon salt, a teaspoon of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. The mixture begins to foam when you add the baking soda, so you need to use a long spoon to stir.  

Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the popcorn, peanuts and pretzels in the bag. Shake until coated evenly. 


Preparing Perfect Popcorn


Stovetop Popcorn Tips:


  • Step 1: Pour enough vegetable oil to just cover the bottom of a pan, turn on medium high heat.  Allow pan to warm. The best popping temperature is between 400 and 460 degrees F. Oil burns at 500 degrees. If your oil starts to smoke, it's too hot.
  • Step 2: Add enough kernels to cover the bottom of the pan single layer, shake to coat the kernels with oil, and cover with lid (too many kernels will “blow” the lid).
  • Step 3: Corn will begin to pop within 3 minutes. When the popping slows, listen until you can count 2 seconds between pops. Turn off heat and remove pan from stove-top.  Lift the lid to allow steam to escape away from your face.  Steam may burn and remaining kernels may continue to pop.
  • Step 4: Add additional flavors, herbs, or spices and enjoy.


*If you prefer microwave popcorn for a quickie snack, simply follow the directions on the package.



More Times to Celebrate Popcorn



Bags of pop corn and popcorn maker in front of a fireplace
Source: Pixabay



October is known as National Popcorn Month




(c) National Popcorn Day Review written by Wednesday  Elf 





Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN) and/or Esty (Awin) Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”


16 comments:

  1. Popcorn is definitely a must at the theater! We used to make the microwave popcorn often when we watched a movie at home too. Popcorn and movies do just seem to go together. Of course, I had no idea there was a National Popcorn Day, but it makes sense that there would be since popcorn is such a favored treat.

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    1. One could not go to a movie theater (or even watch a movie at home) without having popcorn, for sure! It simply goes together like peanut butter & jelly (and a host of other things).... LOL.

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  2. What a delicious review. Popcorn is one of my very favorite foods (and Finn's, too). We eat popcorn several times a week. Enjoyed the fun facts, love that fireplace and popcorn photo, and that playtime popcorn crochet is so clever and cute. I will definitely celebrate this holiday today, even though I did pop some corn just last night. You can never have too much popcorn.

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    1. My favorite snack food too, Diana. I'm not surprised that Finn also enjoys it as popcorn was the only food our Golden Retriever Baron would beg for whenever we had it. He'd wait for you to throw him a piece and catch it in his mouth. The kids loved that. :)

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  3. I never ever go to a movie without getting my popcorn. Fran always asks. what movie do you want to go to? My answer is always the same. I don't care as long as I get popcorn. Only you Pat, would know that there is a National Popcorn Day!!! Thanks!!

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    1. I'm glad I was able to keep you informed about National Popcorn Day, Sam. Now you'll have to go to the movies EVERY January 19 just to celebrate the day! :)

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  4. I would never have known all these facts about Popcorn, so thank you for filling me in. Next trivia game, I'll know some answers hopefully. While I'm not a football fan, I still enjoy Popcorn during hockey games. Does that count?

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    Replies
    1. Hockey fans need their popcorn snack too, Olivia. I know several hockey fans, so yes it counts. :)

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  5. I love popcorn. It just about kills me to have to avoid it for health reasons now. I've always made it on the stovetop. I especially crave it on rainy days. I wish I could make the caramel corn recipe and gobble it up..

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    Replies
    1. I always make mine on the stovetop, too, Barbara. I'm sure you miss it. Thanks for visiting.

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  6. Love the socks! Nothing like the aroma of popcorn and butter when entering the movie theater!

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  7. I loved those socks, too, Tracey. Perfect for sitting at home with a movie on TV and a big bowl of popcorn. :) Thanks for your visit to my popcorn story.

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  8. Pat, LOL! what a great page. Halfway through this I asked my son if we had any popcorn left, now it's all I can think about. Those socks cracked me up. I've seen the ones that say 'bring me wine', but the popcorn ones are darn cute. Also, the crocheted popcorn piece is soooo cute.

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    1. Glad you got a chuckle out of my popcorn-related items, Barbara. I swear no one can read this article without suddenly developing a craving for popcorn! :)

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  9. Love popcorn! Thank you for a great review!

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    1. Thanks for visiting my Popcorn story, Mary Beth. Enjoy a bowl of popcorn on Popcorn Day and any other day you wish. :)

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