ALL ABOUT POPCORN

Interesting Kernels of Popcorn History

• In 1519, Cortes got his first sight of popcorn when he invaded Mexico and came into contact with the Aztecs.
   
• Columbus found the natives in the West Indies selling popcorn decorations like corsages.
   
• English colonists were introduced to popcorn at the first Thanksgiving Feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts.
   
• The oldest ears of popcorn were found in the Bat Cave in west central New Mexico and are thought to be about 5,600 years old.
   
• In southwestern Utah, a 1,000 year-old popped kernel of popcorn was found in a dry cave inhabited by predecessors of the Pueblo Indians.
   

Popcorn: Consumption

• Americans eat over 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn each year. That’s 68 quarts for every man, woman and child.
   
• Popcorn is enjoyed all over the United States, but northern states are the heaviest consumers.
   
• About 70% of popcorn is purchased at retail stores and eaten at home. The rest is enjoyed at movies, ballparks and almost everywhere you find people having fun together.
   
• Popcorn lends itself especially well to toppings. Some popular choices are butter, salt, cinnamon and sugar, cheeses, peanuts, caramel, chocolate, marshmallows, chili pepper, Brewer’s yeast, and soy sauce.