12 things you never knew about popcorn
There's something about popcorn that sends a euphoric wave across our bodies, delighting all the senses with its rich and buttery goodness.
It might sound kind of corny (get it? Corny?), but it should come as no surprise there is a real-life National Popcorn Day.
To celebrate, go pop a bag yourself and check out these incredible facts about one of America's most delicious snacks:
Virtually everyone loves popcorn
A recent NationalToday.com survey reveals that 92 percent of Americans can't get enough of our favorite popped snack.
In fact, only 8 percent said they did not like popcorn. (Feel free to leave those people out of a movie theater or ballpark invite.)
America's most favorite flavored popcorn
While 73 percent say they like to keep it traditional by diving into a bowl or bag of classic butter and salt popcorn, there are a whole lot of flavors to choose from.
Here's the top 10 popcorn flavors overall:
- Classic butter and salt - 73%
- Cheese - 37%
- Caramel - 32%
- Garlic salt - 15%
- Chocolate - 14%
- Plain - 13%
- Cinnamon and sugar - 11%
- Truffle butter - 8%
- Hot sauce - 7%
- Jalapeño - 5%
Orville Redenbacher tops the pop
Also in the survey, 53 percent of Americans revealed they liked Orville Redenbacher over Pop Secret (42 percent) and Act II (34 percent).
A Big Apple-sized appetite for popcorn
Americans eat around 17 billion quarts of popcorn each year, enough to fill the Empire State Building 18 times, according to Lexi Jacobs, author of "The History of Popcorn."
Nebraska is the popcorn capitol of the U.S.
Each year, the state of Nebraska produced an estimated 250 million pounds of popcorn, more than any other state in the country, Jacobs said.
Popcorn can jump an entire yard
You often hear the explosive power of a popcorn kernel bursting into a yellow-gold bloom of deliciousness, but did you also know that same kernel could fly 3 feet in the air unobstructed? That is according to author Lucille Fairweather, author of "Amazing Popcorn Secrets."
Guess how many kernels fit in a cup?
You'd be surprised to find just how many little brown popcorn kernels you can fit in a single cup. The answer is about 1,600, Fairweather says.
Popcorn is a nutrition powerhouse
If you think popcorn is junk, think again. Jacobs said it has more protein than any other cereal grain, more iron than eggs or roast beef, and even more fiber than pretzels or potato chips.
Americans will eat popcorn anywhere
The great majority-63 percent-eat popcorn at the movie theater, but that's not the only place you'll find it. Virtually the same amount of people said they eat it while watching TV and movies at home.
Thirty percent of people said they love popcorn for a late night snack, 22 percent as an easy snack when they get home from work, and still, 13 percent just can't wait, popping some at the office.
Did you know there's an actual popcorn season?
It's in the fall, when popcorn is at its peak, followed by winter. Sales for popcorn fall during the spring and summer, Fairweather said.
Like a snowflake, no two kernels are the same
Popcorn actually comes in three different shapes, including rice, pearl and South American, Jacobs said, but most commercial popcorn are of the pearl variety.
Popcorn makes for good headwear
At least it did 'back then.' Throughout history, the Aztecs and later the Paraguayans used popcorn as a hair accessory.
When explorer Felix de Azara visited Paraguay in the 18th Century, he discovered women stranding kernels together and using them as a beauty product, according to "Popped Culture" author Andrew F. Smith.
