Good morning everyone,
Good morning everyone!!! One of my favorite snacks in the entire world is popcorn. There is nothing better than having a butter bucket and watching a movie. This light a crispy snack is something you can have in a ton of different flavors and just about anywhere.
January 19th is National Popcorn Day!! National Popcorn Day pops onto the scene with a crunch we all love to enjoy! The annual celebration recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night of all shapes and sizes. One of my favorite memories as a child growing up was going to a popcorn shop that had every flavor under the sun that you can imagine popcorn. From chocolate, strawberry, pickle, and spicy cheese the possibilities were endless and we loved going. Each time my sister and I would try to get a different flavor so we could all try something new, but we all had our go to flavor. Now popcorn is a world wide snack that could be had in any flavor you choose.
But did popcorn come to be? As early as the 16th century, the Aztecs used popcorn in headdresses worn during ceremonies honoring Tlaloc, their god of maize and fertility. Early Spanish explorers were fascinated by the corn that burst into what looked like a white flower. Popcorn started becoming popular in the United States in the middle 1800s. It wasn’t until Charles Cretors, a candy-store owner, developed a machine for popping corn with steam that the tasty treat became more abundantly poppable. By 1900 he had horse-drawn popcorn wagons going through the streets of Chicago.
At about the same time, Louise Ruckheim added peanuts and molasses to popcorn to bring Cracker Jack to the world. Then in 1908, the national anthem of baseball was born. Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote Take Me out to the Ballgame. From that point onward, popcorn, specifically Cracker Jack, became forever married to the game.
Today, who can imagine going to the movies without getting a box of buttered popcorn?
I get the biggest bucket to eat and if I eat it all before the movie starts, I go get a refill. There’s nothing like a big tub of popcorn and a soda to go along with the dramatics of the movie. The microwave also spurred the next big advancement for popcorn. Now you can have popcorn anytime you want. Don’t forget about Christmas decorations. Stringing popcorn has been around since 1842 and is a tradition that most households hold for the holidays. Today, Americans consume 13 billion quarts of popcorn a year. That is a lot of popcorn. This snack can be cooked over your campfire or fireplace and can be attached to the best game nights and conversations.
To celebrate this day I thought it would be fun to show you some of my favorite ways to have the tasty treat.
Campfire Popcorn
INGREDIENTS
1/4 c. popcorn kernels
1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
DIRECTIONS
- Toss popcorn kernels and vegetable oil in pie tin. Cover tightly with foil, doming the top to leave enough room for kernels to pop, and place on campfire.
- Using tongs, gently shake pie tin until popping stops. Season with garlic powder and salt.
Different Popcorn Flavors:
This website has to many amazing recipes to share!! They have everything from banana split popcorn to cookies and cream popcorn. Heres the link for you to go check them out and pick your favorite. https://www.diyncrafts.com/34533/food/30-delicious-homemade-flavored-popcorn-recipes-definitely-want-try
However you celebrate today make sure that you spend it with family. Create different flavors together or give them as gifts. The sky is the limit with this amazing treat. Have a awesome day everyone!!!
Tiffany
Program Supervisor