History

The history of popcorn, a pre-Hispanic delicacy

By Gretel Morales - 2024-01-18T11:42:41Z

Going to the movies has become a ritual. Once you secure your tickets and the best spot inside the cinema, the most important thing is to get the best snacks. Although tastes vary, it is certain that popcorn is an almost universal snack that cannot be missed when watching movies or at gatherings. What’s interesting about popcorn is that it was invented in Mexico; we’ll tell you the story!

You can also read: How to make caramel popcorn step by step

Who invented popcorn?

Today we can enjoy caramel popcorn, buttered, cheesy, spicy, and many other flavors, but the truth is that it is a very ancient recipe dating back to pre-Hispanic times.

According to the Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development, popcorn corn has been cultivated for hundreds of years. Back then, it was used in religious ceremonies, where garlands of popcorn were made to decorate altars, but it was also consumed daily.

As you know, Mexico is the birthplace of corn, which is why thanks to ancient cultures we now have popcorn corn and enjoy popcorn at all hours and in every corner of the world. However, obtaining this type of corn is not easy, as it is left to dry for about a year to eliminate all moisture so that it pops when exposed to heat.

It is worth noting that remains of popcorn corn have been found in Puebla, dating back to 2700 B.C. According to the Agricultural and Fisheries Information Service, this type of corn was found in “the Coxcatlán caves, in the Tehuacán Valley.” Most likely, it spread throughout the territory from Puebla.

Many years later, with colonization, popcorn reached the whole world. By 1885, American Charles Cretors invented the popcorn machine, making its commercialization easier and increasing its consumption. What are your favorite popcorns?

See more: Benefits of popcorn in your diet

How to make popcorn in a pan?

We know it's very easy to open a bag of popcorn, put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes and enjoy them; however, it's much better to make them at home to enjoy a lighter, healthier, and more economical version. At Kiwilimon, we teach you how to make popcorn on the stove! Are you ready to try them?

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
1/2 cup of popcorn corn
Salt

Step by step:

Heat the oil in a saucepan. Add the popcorn corn, cover, and cook over medium heat.
Shake the saucepan occasionally to prevent the popcorn from sticking.
When the corn starts to pop, cook for 2 more minutes or until popping stops.
Season the popcorn with salt and serve.

Once your popcorn is ready, you can add hot sauce, chili powder, chocolate chips, and more. Additionally, this recipe will serve to make caramel, chocolate, butter popcorn, and more. Try them now!