Mums The Word
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A Poppin' Good Snack
Whether we are at the movie theater or curled up on the couch watching a movie, popcorn is a favorite snack for all age groups. According to The Popcorn Board, Americans consume 16 billion quarts of popped popcorn annually (this equates to approximately 54 quarts per person). The fall is peak period for popcorn sales for home consumption.
Popcorn is one of the oldest American foods. Archaeologist excavations in 1948 of the Bat Cave in west-central New Mexico turned up popcorn ears nearly 4,000 years old. Although popcorn has a long history, it took until 1880 for seed catalogs to include popcorn. Today, most popcorn that is grown in the United States comes from the Midwest, including Illinois.
Despite what many of us think-that popcorn only comes in a microwavable bag-popcorn can be successfully popped on the stovetop, the "old-fashioned way." It is an economical and versatile treat, which makes it easy on your wallet and waistline.
While salt and butter are optional, many of us prefer these additions to our popcorn. For added flavor without adding salt or calories, sprinkle warm popcorn with herbs-such as marjoram, thyme, summer savory, basil, rosemary or sage. Another way to add flavor is with spices-such as garlic, dry mustard, curry or chili powder.
According to The Popcorn Board, kernels that do not pop are known as "old maids." They generally do not have sufficient water contained within the starch to create the buildup of pressure needed to pop the kernels. Popcorn's ability to pop lies in the fact that the kernels contain a small amount of water stored in a circle of soft starch inside the hard outer casing. When heated, the water expands and creates pressure within. Eventually the casing gives way, and the kernels explode and pop. This allows the water to escape as steam, turning the kernels inside out.
If you are looking for a low calorie snack, try air-popped popcorn. One cup of air-popped popcorn contains 31 calories, 1 gram of protein, 6 grams of carbohydrate, 1 gram of fiber and just a trace of fat.
Oil-popped popcorn contains about 60 calories. Popcorn is a whole-grain food which makes it a complex carbohydrate source that is not only low in calories, but also high in fiber.
For more information on popcorn facts, recipes, nutritional facts and growing popcorn, visit The Popcorn Board website at www.popcorn.org. The Popcorn Board is a non-profit organization funded by U.S. popcorn processors.
This fall enjoy eating popcorn, a snack that tastes great and is good for you.
Source: Jennifer Fishburn, Horticulture Educator, fishburn@illinois.edu
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Nov 11 Youth Sewing Workshop, Randolph Co. Farm Bureau Building 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Nov 13 4-H Achievement Night, World Shooting Complex Vendor Mall 7 p.m.