The ultimate snack is popcorn. Taking a trip back to history, specifically, popcorn history, did you know that thousands of years ago, the Native Americans discovered that unpopped popcorn could be heated and turned into a satisfying, delicious snack? Some of these tribes believed that the popping noise that went out of the kernel were that of an angry god. This is one food that started in America. Popcorn consumption increased during Great Depression and World War II. It was widely available, inexpensive and tasted good. Soon, locations in the Midwestern United States planted the maize used specifically for popcorn, finding that this crop was more stable than maize planted for fresh corn. Today, popcorn is known as the official state snack of Illinois.
Now we can buy popcorn in all kinds of ways. Pre-popped in bags on the grocers shelf, at state fairs and other outdoor events as kettle corn, flavored popcorn in popcorn gift tins, caramel popcorn with nuts (remember Cracker Jacks?) and, of course, freshly popped in every movie theatre lobby. The smell of popcorn has become synonymous with going to the movies.
With the advent of home theatres, we are staying home to watch our films more often. To make the experience complete, make some fresh popcorn at home, using unpopped gourmet popcorn. These tips will help you select the best unpopped gourmet popcorn for your family.
To find which popcorn pops the most kernels, look for the freshest popcorn you can find. This isn't going to be the stuff that has been sitting on the shelf at the grocers in a plastic bag. Even if the expiration date is still valid, the popcorn is likely to be stale. Stale popcorn will leave behind many unpopped kernels, have hard hulls that can cause dental and digestive problems and simply not taste like fresh popcorn should. The freshest popcorns will come from merchants who specialize in premium gourmet popcorn. You can find many merchants online who often have sample packs to allow you to taste a variety of their popcorns.
Consider whether you want your final product to be big, fluffy pieces or smaller, fluffy pieces. Each has their advantages. The larger kernels are best for flavored popcorn like caramel popcorn or kettle corn. The disadvantage is that the hulls can be tougher, sometimes causing gastric distress or dental problems for certain people. Smaller hulls are bred and harvested at just the right time to shatter when they pop. Essentially, the hull is destroyed which eliminates those annoying intestinal and dental problems. The popped corn is smaller, which is less than ideal for layering caramel or chocolate; however, the smaller size is a perfect size for kids with their little hands and mouths. These baby varieties of popcorn can be exactly the thing you have been looking for when it comes to finding a healthy snack for your young children.
Unpopped gourmet popcorn comes in many varieties and several colors. Look for varieties that are all natural and have not had their hulls dyed with food coloring. Most importantly, look for unpopped popcorn is not genetically altered to produce smaller or larger hulls. This is a snack that is naturally grown and best in its natural state.
Store you unpopped popcorn correctly. When stored in a sealed glass jar in a cool cupboard, unpopped popcorn can maintain its freshness for 6-12 months. Popcorn pops because it has a bit of moisture trapped in each kernel. If the corn dries out, more of the kernels will stay closed. You can try to store the corn in the freezer to extend the freshness a few months, but eventually it will lose most of the moisture and you will end up with unpopped kernels and, potentially, a slightly stale taste.
Order some unpopped gourmet popcorn now so you are ready next time you load a new release into that Blue-Ray player. Savour the fresh aroma as it pops and settle in to enjoy the flick and the taste of fresh popcorn.
For more information on unpopped gourmet popcorn and other gourmet gifts, visit http://www.AnythingGoesGourmet.com.
And don't forget to download your FREE copy of 101 Tips for Cooking Like A Chef!
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