You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

Nebraska produces an estimated 250 million pounds of popcorn per year—more than any other state. This is equivalent to a quarter of all the popcorn the United States produces every year.

[Lee Stewart]

Popped popcorn comes in two shapes: “snowflake” or “mushroom.” Because “snowflake” shaped popcorn is bigger, movie theaters typically sell that shape.

[Lee Stewart]

Approximately 70% of popcorn sold in America is eaten in the home. The other 30% is eaten in theaters, stadiums, school, etc

[Lee Stewart]

Autumn is the peak time for popcorn consumption, followed by the winter months. Popcorn sales taper off during the spring and summer.

[Mr70]

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[Lee Stewart]

Unpopped popcorn makes up about 90% of sales for home consumption.

[Lee Stewart]

There are six major maize types: pod corn, sweet corn, flour corn, dent corn, flint corn, and popcorn. Popcorn kernels come in three shapes: rice, pearl, and South American. Most commercial popcorn is the pearl type. The major trait shared by all types of popcorn kernels is their ability to explode and create a flake when kernels are exposed to heat

Contrary to popular belief, popcorn is not the only corn able to pop. Many flint and dent corns also pop, but their flakes are smaller.

[Lee Stewart]

Unpopped popcorn kernels are called “spinsters” or “old maids.” Quality popcorn should produce 98% popped kernels with under 2% being spinsters.

[Lee Stewart]

American businessman Charles Cretors invented large-scale commercial popcorn machines in 1893. His was the first automated machine that could pop popcorn in its own seasonings uniformly. His popcorn machine made its debut at the 1893 World’s Fair (Columbian Exposition) in Chicago.

[Lee Stewart]

While other businesses failed during the Great Depression, the popcorn business thrived. Popcorn sold at around 5 to 10 cents a bag, making it one of the more affordable (and possibly life saving) treats for poor families.