Yes, the crunchy-munchy little popcorn, that has become so much a part of our daily lives has many interesting historical stories associated with it. Let’s take a trip down the historical lane leading to History of Popcorn – the World’s Oldest Snack. There are many interesting stories surrounding the evolution of popcorn.

• It is believed that the first use of wild and early cultivated corn was popping! Imagine farmers watching in delight as the corns popped due to excessive heat, right in the fields.
• The oldest ears of popcorn ever found were discovered in the Bat Cave of west central New Mexico in 1948 and 1950. Varying in sizes, from the smaller than a penny to about 2 inches, the oldest Bat Cave ears are about 4,000 years old.
• In 1519, Cortes got his first sight of popcorn when he invaded Mexico and came to know the Aztecs. Popcorn was an important food for the Aztec Indians, who also innovatively used popcorn as a decorative item for ceremonial headdresses, necklaces and ornaments on statues of their gods, including Tlaloc, the god of rain and fertility.
• Another piece of story surrounding the history of popcorn dates back to the 16^th century when popcorn was a basic component of the Aztec Indian ceremonies. A number of young women with dance the popcorn dance wearing popcorn necklaces, garlands, and other ornaments.
• Writing of Peruvian Indians in 1650, the Spaniard Cobo says, "They toast a certain kind of corn until it bursts. They call it pisancalla, and they use it as a confection.
• Use of moldboard plow became quite common practice in the mid-1800s and led to the extensive plantation and cultivation of maize in the United States.

History of Popcorn – The Snack

• During World War II, sugar was exported overseas for U.S. troops and hence there was shortfall of sugar in the US to manufacture candies and other sweet snack items. At such as stage the Americans consumed three times more popcorn than normal to satisfy their snack cravings.
• Popcorn was also associated with movies and was regarded as a theatre snack. Popcorn went into a slump during the 1950s after television gained popularity and there was decline in the number of people going to the movie theaters. Hence the popcorn consumption also dipped. But then a new innovation took place and people began making and eating popcorn at home. Therefore, new kinship between television and popcorn led to its resurge in popularity.
• The invention of microwaveable popcorn in the 1940s led a huge increase in the annual consumption of popcorns. They became an easy, all time favorite snack item.
• According to a research, Americans today eat 17 billion quarts of popped popcorn every year. The average American consumes around 54 quarts.

Popcorn remains an all time favorite snack not only in the America, but many parts of the globe as well.

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