Popcorn Supplies, Rice Krispie Treats, and Cotton Candy
There is no better way to spend an evening than with a great movie, a loved one, and a big bowl of freshly popped and buttered popcorn. Rice Krispie treats add a sweet finish to the palate afterwards, or try a batch of kettle cooked caramel popcorn for some truly delicious special effects. Milk Duds, cotton candy and red licorice round out the snack, but it's really the popcorn that we're all about.
The reason corn pops is because of the hard, moisture sealed seed hull. As the starchy interior of the kernel heats and expands the exterior shell remains sealed until finally enough pressure has built up that the kernel pops into a special healthy snack. To make it a special treat add butter, salt, or other flavorings such as caramel, cheese powder, or other popcorn seasoning blends. There are a thousand ways to flavor popcorn, but only one way to eat it, by the handful.
For more adventurous types, millet, sorghum and quinoa can be popped right alongside corn with tasty results. The only popcorn supplies needed are a popcorn popper, a big bowl, and an appetite. Most popcorn makers have a durable heating unit combined with a low air flow. The kernels are put into the maker which heats them until they pop. The increasingly expanding kernels are pushed out of the maker into a bowl where they can be buttered, seasoned and served. Popcorn can also be made right in the microwave with prepackage kernels and flavorings or on the stove with Jiffy-Pop prepackaged kernels. The latter works great over a campfire as well as a stove, allowing popcorn to be enjoyed far from civilization. Popcorn has an interesting history dating back 5000 years to Mesoamerica. It was a staple of the Native Americans and became one of the most important crops during the great depression. The popcorn industry flourished during the great depression because it was, and still is, so affordable. During world war two, sugar was rationed so fiercely that Americans consumed popcorn instead of other sweets. There are at least six middle American cities that still claim to be the popcorn capital of the world. It is cemented into our culture more than many other food products.
The popcorn makers found in movie theatres today are often the same design that was pioneered over a hundred years ago and involves cooking the kernels in oil, salt and butter. Alter the recipe slightly and different flavors such as Cracker Jacks, caramel corn, and cheesy popcorn can be created.
Unflavored popcorn is one of the healthiest treats around, being high in fiber yet containing no sodium or sugars. It makes a great treat for people on restricted diets such as diabetics. Be careful with movie theatre popcorn though, the flavorings added often make them more fattening than a Big Mac, egg and bacon breakfast, and steak dinner combined. Avoiding the butter dousing often helps a little bit, but they are still cooked in fattening coconut oil. The best way to avoid this is by popping corn at home, it is a cheap, healthy treat when done right.
