How to make popcorn from grown corn. How and from what to make popcorn at home

WHAT IS THE ARTICLE ABOUT?

What is popcorn made from?

It's no secret that popcorn is made from corn. The question is: what kind of corn is popcorn made from? Not every variety is suitable for this interesting delicacy. The main criterion is the hard shell of the entire grain, which we will explain in more detail in the popcorn production technology.

Sugar or syrup and salt are also added to make popcorn sweet or salty. When you add sugar or syrup, the temperature changes it to caramelize and you get everyone's favorite caramel popcorn. Adding salt enhances its taste.

There are quite a large number of suitable varieties of corn, here are some of them:

volcano
Zeya
gobble-gobble
carousel
Ping pong

Making popcorn, how is it made from corn?

The secret to making fluffy popcorn lies in the structure of the corn kernel. The fact is that the outer layer can withstand temperatures of 200 degrees Celsius, and the inner fabric forms pressure at 100 degrees. The binding water is converted into a gaseous state of aggregation, increasing in volume by more than 1.5 times and creating pressure.
Also, when heated, the starch tissue is steamed, which, after breaking the shell, breaks out and quickly cools, taking on the shape we are familiar with.

Thus, the technological process of making popcorn is based on heating the grains in oil.

How to make popcorn + at home

To make your own popcorn you will need:

Corn for popcorn
Vegetable oil
Salt, spices if desired
Pan with lid

Heat the oil in a saucepan until it coats the bottom. Sprinkle corn in one layer on the bottom. Salt at this moment, this is important, because after the corn opens, salting will not work. Cover with a lid and wait until the grains begin to explode, then shake the pan periodically.
Pour the popcorn into a cup and you're done!

Sweet popcorn

If you want to make a sweet treat in caramel, then you need to prepare the caramel separately. The process for making the popcorn itself remains the same.

To do this, take half a glass of sugar, add a little water and stir over the heat until light brown. You can add a teaspoon of baking soda to make the caramel more airy and less crystallized. Also add 30-40 grams of butter and melt.
Add caramel to the bowl of popcorn and stir. Ready!

Popcorn in the microwave

It can also be cooked in the microwave. For this you will need heat-resistant cookware. The process itself is similar to cooking in a saucepan.

Add butter to the bottom of the dish; butter is better for the microwave.
Sprinkle 1 layer of corn kernels on the bottom, add salt if you want it salty, and place in the microwave at maximum power for 6-7 minutes.

Popcorn benefits and harms

Harm

When preparing puffed corn at home, it is difficult to find any harmful qualities of this product, except perhaps a slight disturbance in the water balance, which causes a feeling of thirst. Also, do not overdo it with salt or sugar.

As for industrial production, the situation is somewhat different.
A number of negative aspects can be identified.

The use of chemical additives such as flavors, dyes and flavor enhancers. The latter in the form of seasonings such as “bacon”, “cheese”, “paprika” can cause stomach diseases, gastritis, and ulcers.

In industrial production, palm oil is used, which contributes to the appearance of carcinogens and increases the calorie content significantly.

Also, unscrupulous manufacturers add diacetyl to the oil, which masks the smell of synthetic additives and gives it a “sweet” smell. The most dangerous thing about it is that it has a detrimental effect on the respiratory system.

Benefit

Puffed corn has a high-quality nutritional composition, enriched with fiber, carbohydrates and proteins. Popcorn is also rich in B vitamins and polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that prevent the development of cancer and are beneficial for cardiac function.

Like all grains, corn flakes are rich in potassium, magnesium, iodine and zinc.

Video of how popcorn is made at a factory

Adults love this delicacy, and children are simply delighted with it. We can say that a Sunday holiday in the park with children cannot be imagined without a bucket of popcorn, just like watching movies in the cinema.
To be sure of the quality of the product, it is better to make it yourself. To do this, you need to know all the features of the process and, in particular, which corn is most suitable for popcorn.

Making popcorn itself is not difficult. Purchased or selected grains are heated in a large, deep frying pan until the shell breaks. The main thing here is not to overcook and not burn the dish.
For fans of popcorn who cook it constantly and in large quantities, special devices have been created to facilitate this process.

What you will need

You can cook corn in different ways, using different equipment.

Popcorn machine. It is equipped with a plate that controls the temperature inside by constantly stirring the grain. As a result, the product is homogeneous and does not burn;
A machine whose operating principle is based on the supply of hot air. It is fed into the lower holes. Finished grains are discharged into an attached container;
A cauldron with a long handle. This is a fairly old device that has been used by chefs for centuries. Of course, cooking in it requires skill, otherwise the grains will burn. In addition, it requires a lot of vegetable oil, which is not very healthy.

Popcorn machine

How to cook

A couple of hours before cooking, you need to put the grain in the freezer. It should be removed when the pan is already hot. A sudden change in temperature will cause the corn to burst quickly.
A little oil is poured into the frying pan, which is distributed over the entire surface of the dish so that all the corn is covered with a small layer of oil.
Homemade popcorn should be quickly poured into bowls to prevent it from burning.

Important! You must act carefully, because popping corn can fly all over the kitchen.

This is a very economical product. After all, from a small handful of grains you get a whole mountain of airy delicacy. The corn is ready, just sprinkle it with fine salt or powdered sugar and you can enjoy its taste.
The calorie content of such a dish is quite high, so you shouldn’t get carried away with it, especially for people who care about their health.

Benefits and harms

The corn from which popcorn is made contains a large number of useful substances, such as:

Fast carbohydrates.
Vitamins of groups B1 and B2.
Microelements.
Antioxidants.

They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive tract, the condition of the skin, hair and nails, as well as the heart and blood vessels. However, you should not overuse this dish. This can lead to breathing problems and weight gain.

The most popular varieties of corn for popcorn

To prepare a truly high-quality dish, you need to know what kind of corn is needed for popcorn. Compared to regular grains, these varieties should be high in fat and protein and low in starch. The shell of their grains is thinner and breaks easily when heated. And they also contain a lot of moisture, which, when heated, is converted into steam, breaking the structure of the grain into a foamy mass.
The most popular varieties of puffed corn are:

Gobble, gobble. Medium early variety. It has elongated yellow grains.
Hotel. The plant is tall with large ears, resistant to sudden temperature changes and lodging. It is a mid-early variety.
Ping pong. It has small ears with small grains. Belongs to mid-early cultures.
Granddaughter's joy. An early ripening plant with small cobs. It has high yields, but does not grow well in poor soils and dry weather.
Red popcorn. The grains have a very beautiful, rich red color with excellent taste. Even the name of the variety says that this crop has high decorative properties.

Gobble-gobble

Important! To understand which corn is suitable for growing popcorn, you need to study the composition of its grains. If the fat and protein content of the grain is more than 21%, it is suitable for preparing this dish.

Features of growing and caring for crops

The main stages of growing corn for popcorn are identical to caring for a conventional crop. However, there are still some features:

slow development of the root system;
the need for constant weeding;
correct choice of soil.

This type of corn is planted in early May. The seed or seedling method is suitable. The distance between neighboring plants should be at least half a meter. Another condition for obtaining a good harvest is compliance with the rules of crop rotation. You can’t plant it in one place for several years. The best predecessor is nightshade crops.

Important: To prevent cross-pollination, two varieties of corn cannot be planted side by side: for popcorn and for regular consumption.

To grow corn for popcorn, several conditions must be met:
Harrow the area before planting.
Cultivate between rows at least three times per season.
If necessary, carry out regular watering.
Periodically feed the plants with mineral fertilizers.

Granddaughter's joy

In retail you can find popcorn in the form of a semi-finished product. Just throw it into a frying pan and fry. This is an absolute advantage. However, very often it contains many harmful substances. Therefore, it is best to grow such corn on your own plot.
Harvesting begins after the ears have fully ripened. At the milk stage, it will not make popcorn.
After harvesting, the grain is dried for about a month in a dry and cool place and then stored in cotton or paper bags.
Just like raw, overdried grains are difficult to burst when frying. The problem can be solved by leaving them in a damp place for a week.
These are the main features of choosing and growing corn for popcorn on a farm. If you take them into account, you can get a wonderful harvest of ripe cobs and enjoy popcorn all winter.

Today everyone knows what popcorn or puffed corn is. The name comes from the English words corn - “corn”, pop - “to burst with a bang”. The honor of discovering this dish belongs to the Indians, who were the first to discover the fact that a grain of maize, when thrown into a fire, explodes, turning into delicious, airy white flowers.

IMPORTANT! Corn explodes due to the presence of a drop of starch and water in it. When heated, this water boils, and the hot steam ruptures the shell, causing the grain to increase in volume.

There are many different types of popcorn:

Sweet.
Salty.
With butter.
With cheese.
Color.
Caramelized.

What variety do you need?

So how do you make popcorn at home? Before you begin production, you need to purchase the right variety of corn.

For popcorn, grains of a separate variety, the so-called popcorn, are used. It differs from ordinary cobs in having a thinner and at the same time stronger shell, and is rich in proteins and fats (read about what can be prepared from corn on the cob).

A strong wall guarantees that the grain will not crack immediately, but will first warm up thoroughly and open beautifully, greatly increasing in volume. In this variety, up to 99% of the grains open when cooked!

There are the following varieties of corn for popcorn:

Volcano.
Gobble, gobble.
Zeya is a variety that is also interesting for its burgundy color.
Ping pong.

REFERENCE! You can buy special grains for popcorn at the supermarket, and if you plan to grow it yourself, it will be enough to plant some of the above varieties next to regular corn.

People often wonder whether popcorn can be made from regular corn. Yes, theoretically this is possible. But in practice this is not worth doing. Corn grains can simply burn - this is what most often happens to inexperienced housewives, and it’s good if they don’t burn anyone.

And even if the experiment succeeds, In conventional varieties of corn, far fewer kernels will explode, and those that do pop will be very different from the popcorn you are used to in appearance and size.

So purchasing special raw materials will save a lot of time, nerves and eliminate the waste of products.

Fodder varieties of corn are definitely not suitable for popcorn, but it makes sense to experiment with a wild plant. It will look like a smaller copy of a regular plant - a cob about the size of your palm, not only yellow, but also black, white or even multi-colored.

Instructions

Traditionally, popcorn is cooked on a hot frying pan or in a saucepan with a lot of oil. In public places, this delicacy is made in an air-heated machine (popper), which reduces the risk of the dish burning to a minimum. But there is no point in buying such equipment at home; it is better to use a saucepan or frying pan with high sides. This is even better than a saucepan - it’s easier to grease it well with oil.

Microwave cooking

The advantage of this method is that the delicacy can be easily and quickly prepared in any microwave and is guaranteed not to burn or burn you. But at the same time, it will come out significantly higher in calories than on the stove: the grains will have to be poured with oil very generously, because there will be no opportunity to shake or stir them during the cooking process.

The cooking technology is as follows:

It's even easier to make popcorn, sold in special microwave bags. To do this, simply place the bag correctly in the microwave and press “Start”.

Watch a video on how to make popcorn in the microwave:

On a frying pan

Advice: It is best to mix popcorn with spices and butter in a closed plastic bag, shaking it vigorously several times.

Flavoring additives

Any recipe for making popcorn itself contains advice to improve the taste of the treat with butter and salt or sugar. But there are many more flavors of this dish. You can experiment by adding a variety of spices as desired:

cinnamon;
coconut flakes;
powdered sugar;
nutmeg;
paprika and even mixed spices from a bag.

Recipes

Caramel

Kids should love caramel popcorn, which you can also make at home:

Watch the video with the recipe for caramel popcorn:

With chocolate

You can also improve the recipe by preparing caramel with chocolate - to do this, melt the sweet bar or add cocoa powder to the butter and sugar.

Adults and children love to crunch on delicious, fluffy popcorn. But you can go to the store for this delicacy not only - if you buy special varieties of corn, you can grow it on your own plot. But what varieties of corn are suitable for making popcorn, and how to grow this crop correctly?

Description and review of popcorn corn varieties

The corn kernels from which popcorn is made contain a small amount of starch, but there is more fat and protein in such varieties compared to sweet corn.

Another feature of these grains is the presence of a thin but durable, as if varnished, shell. It is this that prevents the grains from cracking immediately after heating, as happens with other varieties of corn.

Popping varieties contain moisture, which turns into steam when heated. Filling the grain, steam, when it breaks, helps transform the pulp into a foamy mass. As it cools, it hardens and becomes hard and crispy. Proper cultivation and storage of corn for popcorn allows you to achieve a minimum number of unpopped grains.

The most popular varieties of puffed corn include:

Growing rules and storage

One thing to keep in mind is that popcorn corn will not grow well in light or sandy soils. Plant roots develop slowly and are strongly suppressed by weeds.

It is recommended to plant seeds in the ground in early to mid-May, when the weather is warm. 1-2 grains are thrown into one hole, the distance between holes should be 50 cm, between rows - 60 cm.

This crop grows best after potatoes and tomatoes. If you have sweet corn on your property, then the popcorn variety should be placed as far away from it as possible to avoid unwanted pollination.

Young plants need to be watered at least 1-2 times a week, since the crop is very demanding of moisture.

Another feature of it is its requirement for fertilizing. Due to its relatively weak root system, the soil in which plants grow needs to be enriched with nutrients - organic and mineral fertilizers.

Harvesting is carried out after the grains have hardened and become covered with a glassy shell. At the milk stage, the cobs can be broken off and cooked like sweet corn. But you won’t be able to make popcorn from young grains yet.

Bean storage

Proper storage determines how the grains will explode during cooking.

Harvesting for subsequent storage is necessary only after the cobs are completely dry - this will ensure uniform drying of the grains. Under no circumstances should you pick the cobs raw. Broken heads of cabbage need to be dried for a month in a dark, cool place - in the attic or in a closet.

After a month, the cobs are put into bags made of cotton fabric or made of thick paper.

It is necessary to take into account that grains that are too dry will not break easily during cooking. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to place overdried heads of cabbage for a week in a room with high humidity, for example, in a basement.

Cooking popcorn and its properties for the body

The easiest way to make popcorn is to heat the grains in a frying pan or other suitable container. To prepare large portions of popcorn, special devices are used:

Before cooking, it is recommended to place the grains in the freezer for 1.5-2 hours, and after removing from the freezer, immediately place them on a hot frying pan. This will make it possible to achieve a sharp temperature difference, and, accordingly, rapid and powerful rupture of grains.

Cooked corn must be quickly removed from the pan, first removing it from the heat. You need to pour 1-2 tablespoons of oil into the frying pan and tilt it in different directions several times so that all the grains are covered with an oil film.

Popcorn has a fairly good yield when cooked - one handful of kernels yields a large bowl of finished product. Sprinkle the cooked popcorn with powdered salt or powdered sugar. It is better not to use all kinds of chemical seasonings.

When cooking in the microwave, the beans are poured into a paper bag, sealed and placed in the oven. There are dishes that were specially designed for cooking popcorn in the microwave, which can withstand the required temperature. This product is cooked at 200 degrees, and if you use a container that is not designed for such temperature loads, it will most likely be damaged.

The health benefits and harms of popcorn

Popcorn is regular corn enriched with fiber, which has a beneficial effect on the digestive system. The usefulness of the product lies in its rich composition:

Vitamin B1 helps normalize the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, improve the metabolic process, and the condition of nails and hair. Vitamin B2 normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, so popcorn is useful for stress and nervous disorders. Antioxidants prevent the development of cancer and heart disease.

However, it must be taken into account that consuming this product in large quantities can lead to the development of respiratory diseases due to the diacetyl flavoring content present in the oil. In addition, regularly eating large portions of popcorn can cause excess weight.

Therefore, it is recommended to cook popcorn yourself, without adding harmful seasonings. 100 g of popcorn, generously sprinkled with sugar syrup, contains 400-450 kcal, which means it is not advisable to eat it too often. However, it is best to replace unhealthy snacks such as chips and salted nuts with popcorn.

Popcorn is one of the most favorite foods not only for children, but also for many adults. Let's find out how to grow corn for popcorn yourself, what varieties are suitable for this and how to care for them.

Corn varieties for popcorn

Not all corn varieties are suitable for making popcorn. Such grains should open when heated, and not simply burst, like regular corn, so only those varieties are suitable whose grains contain little starch and, accordingly, have a thinner shell. When frying, the moisture inside them expands and at the moment of bursting, the resulting steam fluffs the pulp of the grains. Information on the best corn varieties for popcorn is provided below.

Did you know? Corn is the only one among all plants whose fruits contain gold. By the way, this valuable microelement has a beneficial effect on brain activity.

ripening: early (80 days);
plant height: 2–2.2 m;
cob length: 20–23 cm;
grains: yellow, medium;
resistance to drought and lodging: high;
Suitable for hot, dry places.