Good morning, How are you? As soon as I found out January 19th was National Popcorn Day #NationalPopcornDay I knew this would be a #Holiday I had to share not only with you but the world as well.

I don’t know about your family but my entire family loves Popcorn. How about you? As a child my mom would drive us downtown to the Fort Worth Stockyards to the Downtown Cowtown at The Isis which has been closed ever since I was a child.
But that didn’t stop my moms love for Popcorn and all of us children new if we went to the movies with our friends we was to bring #Popcorn home for my mom. David is the same way and if truth be none I can’t see a movie without Popcorn and Soda.
Which is why I wish I had reminded David of National Popcorn Day last night because at our local Theater we could have filled up any size bucket for only $5 giving David and I our favorite snack for the week. Before you ask we didn’t have any #Popcorn yesterday because I forgot to pick up any at the Store but the next time we go shopping I will pick up Popcorn and we will celebrate National Popcorn Day then because it should be celebrated year round shouldn’t it?
I would like to invite you to join us today because I missed out asking you to join us on January 19th to celebrate National Popcorn Day! You can have Popcorn anyway you want today from Buttered, Salted, Kettled, or even Drizzled with Caramel, as long as you have Popcorn. Remember Popcorn is one of those snacks that is perfect anytime, anywhere. Popcorn is even great on the go, in the Theater, or in your living room! Just be prepared to dig Popcorn out of your teeth which is the most annoying part of Popcorn besides biting down on uncooked Popcorn Kernels.
Now I have a question for you. Did you know that the Corn we eat and the Corn we pop are two different varieties of Maize? In fact, the Corn you’d find on your dinner table is most likely unable to pop at all! Only one variety of Corn is able to become Popcorn: Zea Mays Everta. This particular Corn variety has small ears, and the kernels burst when exposed to dry heat.
In 1948, small heads of Zea Mays Everta were discovered by Herbert Dick and Earle Smith in the Bat Cave of West Central New Mexico. Ranging from smaller than a penny to about two inches, the oldest Bat Cave ears were about 4,000 years old.
Several individually popped kernels were also discovered, which have since been carbon dated and shown to be approximately 5,600 years old. There’s also evidence of early use of Popcorn in Peru, Mexico, and Guatemala, as well as other places in Central and South America.
Aztecs used Popcorn to decorate their clothes, create ceremonial embellishments, and also for nourishment. Native Americans have also been found to consume and utilize Popcorn in their day to day lives.
In a cave in Utah, thought to be inhabited by Pueblo Native Americans, Popcorn has been found that dates back to over 1,000 years ago. French explorers who traveled to the new world discovered Popcorn being made by the Iroquois Natives in the Great Lakes region. As colonists moved around North America, and as the USA came to be, many people adopted Popcorn as a popular and healthy snack.
National Popcorn Day Activities
- If you have the means and the opportunity today why not make a long necklace for you, friends, family members and even strangers using Popcorn? This necklace will definitely make you the most popular person at the office happy hour.
- We are three weeks into January why not plan a Movie Marathon? Chances are you just want to hide and eat comfort food but, our New Years Resolutions keep us from doing that. But there’s a win-win! Tee up your favorite Movies and pop a big bowl of Popcorn and keep to your diet. Instead of Butter use a little Olive Oil and Salt with the carb-y goodness of the Popcorn.
- Put on the Popcorn Olympics at home and also at work and lets play Popcorn basketball, Popcorn air hockey, and host a Popcorn relay race, Which will allow us to burn off the pent-up energy gathered from sitting in a chair all day and get competitive with our friends, family and co-workers. When you’re feeling a little peckish, munch on Popcorn and keep the fun going!
Facts About Popcorn
- Popcorn is GMO-free and a gluten-free snack.
- During the World War II Sugar shortage, Americans ate three times more Popcorn.
- Un-popped Popcorn kernels at the bottom of a Popcorn bag are called old maids. I didn’t know that. Did you?
- Popcorn as DecorIn North America, popcorn is a common Christmas tree decoration!
- Popcorn comes in two shapes round-shaped Popcorn is called Mushroom Popcorn, and Popcorn that pops into odd shapes is called Butterfly Popcorn. I think I will look for some Butterfly Popcorn today. Would you like to join me?
Why We Love National Popcorn Day
Think back to your parents childhood and the morning matinee they would attend or your first and awkward first date at the movies. Popcorn tends to be part of festive occasions and meaningful moments. Doesn’t it?
Whether you’re cooking Popcorn on the stovetop or in the microwave, Popcorn takes a matter of minutes and you can personalize Popcorn with your own favorite toppings: including classic Butter, or you can add Spices, like Ranch or Sriracha!
Popcorn is a whole grain and the starchy inside of the grain has been fluffed with heat and air. The carbohydrates and air add up, making a wonderful snack alternative for those watching their waistline. Grab that Popcorn today and get to snacking.
Recipe for Homemade Popcorn
- 2-3 quart saucepan with lid
- 3 tablespoons peanut oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup unpopped popcorn
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Pour into a serving bowl and season as desired.
Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
Pour in the popcorn kernels and sprinkle with salt to lightly cover the layer of kernels. Add the butter to the pot and cover with the lid.
As the kernels start to pop, shake the pan back and forth across the burner until the popping slows down.
Remove from heat once the pops are about 2 seconds apart.
Serve
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates