Christmas Time With Popcorn

Here are a few recipes and ideas for the holiday season. Get the whole family involved, especially on those chilly nights when you are "stuck" inside. Kids love to participate, and they will be thrilled when they make personal holiday items. Do you have some great ideas on ways to use popcorn at Christmas? Let me know and I will post it here for everyone to enjoy. Happy holidays to all!


Christmas Popcorn Recipe

• 5 quarts Freshly popped, unsalted popcorn
• 1 cup Unsalted,dry-roasted peanuts
• 1 cup Butter or margarine
• 2 cups Firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Dark corn syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

Preheat oven to 250 F. Combine popcorn and peanuts in a large, lightly greased roasting pan; mix well and set aside. Melt butter or margarine in a medium saucepan; stir in sugar and corn syrup. Bring to a boil and continue boiling over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat, stir in soda and vanilla. Pour over popcorn, mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven, cool for 10 minutes. Spread in single layer on folded large brown paper bags to cool completely. Keep fresh tasting for 2 to 3 weeks in an airtight container.



Popcorn Garland For Your Christmas Tree

• day-old popcorn
• dried cranberries
• golden raisins
  
• other colorful dried fruit such as apples

• heavy duty thread, fishing line, or even dental floss will work
• strong needle, like a tapestry needle
  

Alternate each of the ingredients on to the string, i would suggest doing a couple of each item as you alternate to they show up better. Depending on the size of your tree will determine the size of the garland. If kids are helping, make sure to be careful with the needle.



Christmas Popcorn Balls

• 16 cups popcorn popped
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp salt
• miniature chocolate chips, holiday colors if you can find them
  
• red cinnamon candies

Put popcorn in a very large bowl. In a medium saucepan, combine marshmallows, butter and milk. Stirring constantly, cook over low heat until marshmallows are melted. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter, vanilla, and salt. Pour marshmallow mixture over popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Let cool slightly and then sprinkle chocolate chips and cinnamon candies EVENLY over mixture. Using lightly-greased hands, take out enough popcorn mixture to make a ball about 3-4 inches in diameter. Pack together to form firm ball. Store in airtight container.

Shopping for popcorn machines is fun. They are interesting and unusual. Also, you will anticipate the happy times you will spend using them for parties and movie nights. Here are nine features to think about as you look at all the fancy popcorn poppers.

1. Style. This is the first thing you will probably notice about these novelty items. There are many different styles of nostalgic or retro popcorn cart to choose. Some others are Metropolitan style, which is based on the art deco period. The cinema style has a Hollywood theme.

2. Pedestal. Some of the popcorn machines sit on a table top, and so do not need a pedestal. Others might be best used with a pedestal, which may come separately. If you find a popper that comes with a pedestal, check to see if it has shelves for your supplies.

3. Wall placement. Some popcorn machines can be placed on a wall. This makes them more convenient in a home or other setting that has limited space. Others must be free-standing and have room around them.

4. Type of popping. Some of the popcorn machines used for home entertaining are hot air poppers. The larger poppers generally pop corn in hot oil, in a kettle.

5. Type and size of kettle. If you are buying a popcorn machine that pops with hot oil, a kettle will be included. The best material for the kettle is anodized aluminum. The size you get will be determined by how much popcorn you want to pop. For less than 85 quarts per hour, a 4 ounce kettle would be fine. 127 to 170 quarts per hour needs an 8 ounce kettle.

6. Old maid drawer. Especially in the oil popcorn machines, you will often find an old maid drawer. These drawers are covered with perforated trays, where un-popped kernels fall through and do not get mixed in with the edible popcorn.

7. Warming deck. A warming deck makes sense to keep large amounts of popcorn heated in a large popcorn machine. That is because the heat rises and warms all the popcorn.

8. Tempered glass panels. If you choose one of the large squared-off popcorn machines, look for tempered glass panels. They will not only look nice in your home, but they will also be durable and resistant to the heat of the popper.

9. Ease of maintenance. A good popcorn machine will need little maintenance besides adequate cleaning. If you get a popper with a kettle, this part will need to be wiped with a damp cloth when you finish using it for the day. Any stainless steel trays can be removed and cleaned, and the glass can be cleaned with a glass solution.

In all these ways, you can judge whether a popcorn machine is right for you. Take the time to research the individual products to find out what will work best in your home or business.

For purchasing information visit Bargains Delivered Popcorn Machines or HouseholdsDelivered.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bob_Schmitt

Interesting Facts About the Popcorn Board and Popcorn Export!

Interesting Facts about the Popcorn Board and Popcorn Export! With the US. producing over 500,000 tons of popcorn per year and over 100,000 tons is exported, somebody needs to control this well liked snack. That's where congress comes in. We have the United States Popcorn Board. The Popcorn Board works to inform consumers about research, promotions,and the economic importance of popcorn.The Popcorn Board consists of a nine member panel.

The Panel is chosen from processors who typically distribute over 4 million pounds of popcorn annually. The Secretary of Agriculture nominates members from a list submitted by the industry itself. The board is funded by assessments from all processors and is limited to individual assessments of $81,000.

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) monitors the Board's administration.

The United States Popcorn Board is a Consumer Information Act signed by president Clinton. President Clinton being a big popcorn fan, signed the act on April 4, 1996.The law is TITLE 7 > CHAPTER 101 > SUBCHAPTER V > - 7481. It is commonly know as Popcorn Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act.

Congress says that-

* Popcorn is an important food that is a valuable part of the human diet;

* The production and processing of popcorn plays a significant role in the economy of the United States in that popcorn is processed by several popcorn processors, distributed through wholesale and retail outlets, and consumed by millions of people throughout the United States and foreign countries;

* Popcorn must be of high quality, readily available, handled properly, and marketed efficiently to ensure that the benefits of popcorn are available to the people of the United States;

* The maintenance and expansion of existing markets and uses and the development of new markets and uses for popcorn are vital to the welfare of processors and persons concerned with marketing, using, and producing popcorn for the market, as well as to the agricultural economy of the United States;

* The cooperative development, financing, and implementation of a coordinated program of popcorn promotion, research, consumer information, and industry information is necessary to maintain and expand markets for popcorn;

* Popcorn moves in interstate and foreign commerce, and popcorn that does not move in those channels of commerce directly burdens or affects interstate commerce in popcorn.

The latest Census of Agriculture states that, domestic production was over 996 million pounds in 1997.

Popcorn is grown in 25 states. The top 5 major producing states in 1997 are Nebraska (27%), Indiana (21%), Illinois (13%), Ohio (9%) and Missouri with (6%).

Popcorn is exported to over 90 countries. In 1999 the 2 largest export markets were Mexico (17% exported) and Canada (14% exported). Other major export markets are Sweden, The United Kingdom, Germany,Spain, Italy, Thailand, Korea, Denmark, The Philippines and Japan.

Most of the world's production of popcorn is from the United States. Small Amounts are usually imported from Canada and Argentina.

For Great Gourmet Popcorn supplies, Please visit us at Gourmet Popcorn. We carry a wide assortment of Popcorn poppers too! Hand crank popcorn poppers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A.l._Castle

Home Theater Popcorn Cart - How to Pick the Right One For You

Imagine sitting at home, enjoying the view of a great new movie in your home theater. It's all there - a widescreen HD TV or large projector screen, surround sound, a DVD and/or Bluray disc player. Or is it?

Picture yourself settling down on your couch or recliner in front of the movie... with a freshly popped, hot bag of popcorn in your lap. Is your mouth watering yet?

Home theater popcorn machines have recently became huge successes in the home theater department. And why wouldn't they be popular? Just about everyone can appreciate fresh popcorn at a home premier. There are a lot more reasons though why now is a better time than ever to make a popcorn machine an addition to your home.

First of all, today's popcorn machines are very low maintenance. Some models even require no maintenance at all - you can pop night after night without ever touching them. These machines are also very affordable so you can find a machine for just about any budget. The ability to measure and pop the perfect amount of popcorn for each serving makes popping yourself a bag easier than ever - just fill the machine up with corn and pop away until it's all gone and it's time to refill again. There is a wide variety to choose from, too, with styles ranging from counter-top models to the more old school 1900's style popcorn machines.

Shopping for a popcorn machine, though, can be a little tricky. One of the most important factors in selecting a popcorn machine for your home is the knowledge of how large a kettle you need. If you choose one that's too small, you'll find yourself constantly popping popcorn instead of enjoying your movie. If you choose one that's too large, you'll end up with a lot of wasted popcorn.

An easy way to tell what size of kettle you'll need is to know how much microwave popcorn you'll eat. A typical bag of microwave popcorn is 3-6 oz. Each bag has about 2.5 standardized servings. So, if you're going by this information, you know that:

- A 4 oz. popcorn machine will make about four servings in three minutes
- A 6 oz. popcorn machine will make about six servings in three minutes

Let's say you and your family typically eat a whole bag each, though. In that case, you know that:

- A 4 oz. popcorn machine will make about one serving in three minutes
- A 6 oz. popcorn machine will make about two servings in three minutes
- A 8 oz. popcorn machine will make about four servings in three minutes

So as you can see, if you know how much microwave popcorn you and your family can eat during a movie, you'll know exactly what size of kettle you need.

Home theater popcorn machines aren't just for home theaters, either. They make great additions to any recreational area, be it your pool house, game room, or even bedroom. The chances of finding the perfect popcorn machine for your home are better than ever, and with a little looking, you are sure to find a popcorn machine that will last your family for years to come.

A home theater popcorn cart would complete the movie theater experience. Let the popcorn take you back to the time you watched that scene through your butter soaked fingers because you couldn't watch but couldn't look away either.

Discover more about home theaters at: http://www-home-theaters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Rehnquist

Popcorn Factories

Popcorn has been an ideal anytime snack for most families. Popcorn is available in many flavors such as caramel, plain salted, tomato, cheese, Dill Pickle, Salt and Vinegar, Cheese, White Cheddar, Holiday Corn, and White Popcorn.

Popcorn factories supply ready to eat instant popcorns in various types such as buttered popcorns, plain salted popcorns and many types of flavors to meet the ever increasing demand for readymade popcorn. There are popcorn parlors that generally need stock in bulk and some factories supply raw material to them. Most factories produce popped corn as well as unprocessed corn kernels to cater to the requirement of both types of buyers. All these products carry necessary instructions needed to pop corn and mention shelf life.

Factories manufacture popcorn vending machines that offer bulk-popping corn, which are often found in malls, exhibitions and at birthday parties and different occasions where popcorn is consumed in large quantities. Popcorn factories manufacture a huge selection of movie theater quality popcorn machines too. They carry warranty and guarantee for the same.

Factories also manufacture popcorn portion packs, which include pre-measured amounts of popcorn, seasoning salt and flavored oil. Along with this, they may also produce accessories such as popcorn buckets, popcorn bags, popcorn boxes and more.

Some popcorn factories may offer popcorn machines to buyers. People can access such information online through websites of vendors. This makes shopping for popcorn machines and other fun food equipment simple and easy. People may choose popcorn machines that suit all needs, for small home use popcorn machines to large heavy vending machines.

Other than manufacturing, these factories also carry on the process of branding and marketing popcorn products. This is an essential function as it helps to increase their sales to a large extent. Many factories have separate departments that specialize in standardization and advertising. They also inform wholesalers and retailers of new brands that are coming up. Most factories directly sell to wholesale dealers and retailers and there are no minimum purchase requirements.

Popcorn provides detailed information on Popcorn, Popped Popcorn, Popcorn Machines, Popcorn Factories and more. Popcorn is affiliated with How Many Carbs In Pizza.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

Popcorn: Snack or Vegetable? Do or die?

When someone says "popcorn", the first image in my head is being at the theatre watching the latest blockbuster. Popcorn has always been a major component of the theatre-going crowd's gear. Personally, it is not the same going to the movies and NOT having popcorn - it is like something is missing. For others it might be the soda, the hot dog or the nachos.

Some food for thought. One large popcorn at the movies is about 20 cups of popcorn, popped in coconut oil and topped with butter (or topping as many places are not butter). Total calories: about 1600! Take the butter (topping) out of the equation and you drop to 1160 calories for a large popcorn. Big difference! 600 calories for the same amount air popped (no topping). So when you hear that popcorn is a healthy snack, they are not talking about the large tub, no TUB, of popcorn at the theatre.

For having possibly ruined your next movie outing, I apologize. There has been a trend over the last few years to create healthy versions of popcorn. Or are these versions of popcorn truly healthy? Numerous companies have created a variety of microwave popcorns - from butter or fat free, flavored and organic. Depending on your diet, there is enough choice to please everyone and you can "pop" it in the microwave, wait a few minutes and presto, the popcorn is done.

Controversy surrounds microwave popcorn. Terms like "popcorn lung", a chemical called diacetyl, and fluorooctanoic acid are thrown around stating microwave popcorn allegedly can lead to cancer, lung disease and other potentially fatal illnesses. While some of the data points to certain chemicals as the cause, the risk to the consumer is minimal. There seems to be a focus to rid the chemicals used in microwave popcorn, so that is good news.

So now what? I don't know if I want to eat popcorn ever again! Movie popcorn will kill me with caloric content and fat, microwave popcorn will kill me through the chemicals used. What is left? Well there are the traditional poppers that use oil, air poppers, and the in-betweens.

The popcorn poppers I grew up with used oil and are a good alternative; you can control the amount of oil for the most part and you are likely to get most of the kernels to pop. Of course you have to take time to make popcorn this way - no pop-it-in-the-nuker for you now! Once the popcorn is done, you can control how much butter and salt you choose to use as well. Not a bad option when you consider the "killers" above. The traditional popper is hard to find these days, but if you do get one, I believe it to be the best "pop" for your corn.

Air poppers have flooded the market for years and come in all shapes and sizes. The air popper is by far the most health conscious of all forms of popcorn poppers. Yet again, do you have time to make popcorn this way?? Air poppers, as the name states, use hot air to pop the kernels and you end up with dry, did I mention, dry popcorn. Depending on the air popper you have, you will end up with a high ratio of un-popped kernels to popped kernels. The air popper, while it is the healthy person's choice, can create a lot of wasted kernels (unless of course you re-use the kernels like me). And with this final dry product (un-popped kernels removed) it gives you complete control over what you do next. If you drowned the popcorn in butter and salt, you might as well have went to the movies and bought it! Remember, everything is fine in moderation!

The last types that is available are combinations of the above. There are the type that you put in the microwave to pop. Others you put on the stovetop and crank a handle to pop (uses oil). Still another type uses a motorized rotating wand that keeps the kernels moving so they don't burn. (Remember back when? Shaking the entire unit so the kernels didn't burn?). With this kind of popcorn making unit many have nonstick coating surfaces. One last type to mention has been the "retro" popcorn popping unit - many look like scaled-down versions of the popcorn makers in the movie theatres. Some of these type use air, while others use oil.

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Healthy Popcorn Choices

The top four rated microwave popcorns! We all know -- or should know -- that popcorn is officially a whole-grain snack. However, with the plethora of brands and varieites available on the market, do you know which are best? Save yourself time and money and try going with one (or all!) of the following four highly-rated, healthy microwave popcorn choices!

Smart Balance Light Butter
Smart Balance's buttery flavor makes you feel like you're at the movies -- without the grease and guilt. WIth no hydrogenated oils or trans fats, just 100 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat and 85 milligrams of sodium per serving (4 popped cups), this popcorn gives you a satisfying snack without ruining your diet. Priced at $2.69 to $3.29 for three, 3-ounce bags; available at grocery stores nationwide.

Newman's Own Organics Pop's Corn, Light Butter
Newman's short ingredient list is all organic, with no hydrogenated oils. It is not quite as buttery as the Smart Balance Light Butter, but is great if you are in the mood for something that tastes less intense. Each serving (3.5 cups popped) has 140 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat and 130 milligrams of sodium. Priced at $2.99 for three, 3-ounce bags; availabe at Whole Foods Markets and other natural grocery stores nationwide.

Jolly Time 100-Calorie Mini Bags, Healthy Pop Butter Flavor
There is a small amount of partially hydrogenated soybean oil in this brand, but the 100-calorie bag is still great for nights alone with a good movie. The whopping 5-fluffy-cup serving has 100 calories, 2 grams of fat, no saturated fat and 200 milligrams of sodium. Priced at $2.39 for four, 1.2-ounce bags; available at grocery stores nationwide.

Newman's Own Organics Pop's Corn 94-percent Fat Free Unsalted
If you prefer all natural popcorn, or dressing it up with your own flavorings, this is the bare-bones pick for you. Like the Newman's Own, this one has no partially hydrogenated oils and is organic. Each serving (3.5 cups) has 120 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, and 30mg of sodium. Pop it up, add just a pinch of salt, and you have the perfect snack.

Seven Fun Things You Can Do with Popcorn

by: Gary Nave

What type of popcorn lover are you? How do you cook it, stove top, microwave, air popped or camp fire roasted? How about toppings, naked, salted, drenched in butter, cheese laddened, covered in carmel, or coated in chocolate.

Plain popcorn balls are great on their own. However, you can easily change them into something spectacular. You can cover a popcorn ball with white cake icing and red licorice lace to resemble a baseball. If that is too much, you can dress them up by wrapping them in colored plastic wrap. For halloween, wrap them in orange plastic wrap, glue on cut out construction paper eyes, nose and mouth for an edible mini jack-o-lantern.

Popcorn lends its self for great ideas during halloween. Don't forget the freakishly realistic witch's hand. All you need is plastic food preparation gloves, candy corn for the finger nails, fill with popcorn and a ribbon to close off the bag. Add a plastic spider ring and watch the fingers bend in odd directions.

Need to keep the kids busy for Christmas? Why not set them in front of a bowl of popcorn and string popcorn garland for the Christmas tree. This will keep them busy for a little while. Maybe it will even become a family tradition.

Going to visit a family for the holidays? Why not send a popcorn tin.

Need a teachers gift? Why not make a movie night kit. Fill a bowl with candy, microwave popcorn and a gift certificate to your local movie rental store. This is always a great gift. Or you could fill your own tin with some of the recipes below.

Make your own old time favorite homemade cracker jack mix. (recipe)

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Crackerjacks Caramel Popcorn
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com

Category: Caramel Corn
Serves/Makes: 4 cups | Difficulty Level: 3 | Ready In: 1-2 hrs

Ingredients:

• 4 cups freshly popped corn lightly salted
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup corn syrup (light)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Options 1 cup of peanuts

Directions:

My wife makes this and it has crackerjacks beat;

Put popcorn in shallow roasting pan (large pan). In heavy saucepan mix sugar, butter and corn syrup. Stir over medium heat until boiling. Continue boiling 5 min. without stirring. Remove from heat; add vanilla and baking soda. Pour over popcorn; stir to coat well.

Bake in preheated 250 degree oven for 1 hr., stirring several times. Cool, break apart and store in tightly covered container. (Cool on waxed paper so it won't stick to pan) Note; if desired 1 cup. peanuts may be added to popcorn BEFORE adding caramel sauce.

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How about chocolate covered popcorn. All you need is cooked popcorn and chocolate chips. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in the microwave taking time not to burn the chocolate. Put the melted chocolate in a plastic bag, snip the corner off making a tiny hole the size of a pencil point. Squeeze and drizzle over popcorn. Let cool until hardened. This makes great favors for any party.

Now that you have some great ideas, get popping!

Popcorn Diet: Successful Or Unsuccessful?

By: Barney Garcia

There is a lot of confusion concerning diets around North America. One minute we are told that low carb, high fat, high protein diets are best, while the next we hear that high carbohydrate, low fat diets are the ticket to weight loss. However, there is no real secret diet that will work for everyone, and it is important to pick a diet that works well with your likes and lifestyle. In this article we will review a fad diet that was presented to consumers a couple of years back; the popcorn diet.

By now, everyone should know that fad diets fail to work because they are short term, unrealistic, and usually starvation diets that encourage our bodies to pack on the fat after we go off of them. There are some good aspects of the popcorn diet though, which includes snacking all day on air-popped popping corn. Popcorn is very high in dietary fiber which is key for losing weight because of it’s ability to make out stomachs feel fuller for longer without the added calories. Fiber is also essential in maintaining regular bowel health, preventing heart disease and certain cancers. Popcorn is also extremely low in calories which makes it a great food to snack on if you get the munchies.

On the down side however, most people don’t really like the taste of plain popcorn because it is really dry and bland. So instead of having a healthy low calorie snack, they load it up with butter and salt which makes it extremely high in sodium and in many cases, higher in fat than potato chips. Eating an excessive amount of corn can block the absorption of vitamin B, which can result in anemia, low energy levels, skin rashes, depression and short term memory loss.

Don’t let this turn you off from popcorn though! Popcorn can be a great contribution to your diet, and a little salt and butter once in a while won’t kill you either. Just remember, humans can’t live on popcorn alone, and this is why the “popcorn diet” is yet another failed fad. It is also important to note that popcorn belongs in the top five foods that children choke on under the age of five, so refrain from giving your little one popcorn until he/she is older, and make sure you don’t leave any popcorn laying around.

Here is How We Got Microwave Popcorn

Microwave popcorn has led to the creation of even more types of packaging. Microwave popcorn has been around for 25 years, and has really revolutionized the way we make and consume this product. Many people still remember using Jiffy Pop, popcorn as kids. These prepackaged and aluminum foil wrapped products allowed you to heat up and pop the corn right on the top of your stove. It was very clever and appealing the way the foil pouch would gradually enlarge and get bigger until the popcorn was ready.

Popcorn was actually the first food to be microwaved deliberately. Percy Spencer of the Raytheon Corporation was experimenting with a magnetron (a new type of vacuum tube) when he noticed that the chocolate candy bar in his pocket had melted. This gave him the germ of an idea that perhaps corn could be popped using the same technology. You might say the rest is history because microwave popping has become the most common method used in the home setting to make a tasty snack.

Pop in microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes, and remove when the popping slows down. Open the bag carefully and season with salt or your other favorite topping. Popcorn also substitutes as a meal for many consumers in a pinch, and some munch on it when they are in diet mode as it is low in both calories and fat. In fact, one gallon of unbuttered popcorn has a mere 390 calories. Popcorn without that weird yellow stuff.

Microwave popcorn has changed in the last few years with the addition of new flavors like Kettle Corn, a sweet and salty popcorn variation. Kettle Corn microwave popcorns are comparable to movie style butter flavors in calories and fat. Microwave popcorn for butter lovers is definately the way to go. Pop up some family fun!

One little caution here. Microwave popcorn bags can be dangerous, because the popcorn bags get very hot, heating to more than 200 degrees Celsius in a short time, so be sure and exercise caution when using this method. Microwave popcorn also uses the wet-pop method, although the moisture is present in a solidified form of oil, flavoring, and salt that melts when the microwaving process begins.

http://www.my-popcorn-4u.com/pages/microwave.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Yeager

Popcorn: A Whole-Grain Snack

Popcorn is a "good-for-you" snack that is a fun and convenient way for you to meet your daily intake of whole grains.

What Makes Popcorn a Whole Grain?

Whole grains include all three parts of a grain: the bran, the endosperm and the germ. The Bran is the multi-layered outer skin that protects the kernel from damage by weather, water, pests and disease. It contains antioxidants, B vitamins and fiber.

The endosperm in the middle of popcorn provides energy to the plant and is the largest part of the kernel. It contains starchy carbohydrates, proteins and small amounts of vitamins and minerals. The nutrient-packed germ is the embryo of the plant that will reproduce if fertilized by pollen. It contains B vitamins, some protein, minerals and healthy fats. In contrast, refined grains have been stripped of the bran and germ.

Pop Up Three Cups for a Whole Grain Serving

The Dietary Guidelines recommend that we follow an 1800 to 2000-calorie meal plan containing six servings of grains daily, with at least three of these servings being whole-grain. It's not all that difficult to get those three servings! One serving of whole grains is equal to just one ounce.

What Counts as an Ounce Equivalent of Grains?

• 3 cups popped popcorn
• 1 slice whole wheat bread
• 1 /2 cup cooked oatmeal
• 1 /2 small (2 ounce) whole wheat bagel
• 1 /2 whole wheat English muffin
• 1/ 2 cup brown rice or whole wheat pasta
• 5 whole wheat crackers
• 6-inch whole wheat flour tortillas

Popcorn Boosts Overall Nutrition

Popcorn provides a full complement of nutrition benefits, including dietary fiber, protein and B vitamins. By adding other healthful ingredients to popcorn you can make your own delicious, quick and easy snack mix.

Check out the benefits of the following "mix-ins":

• 2 tablespoons whole almonds adds protein, iron and fiber
• 1 /3 cup chopped dried fruit adds iron and fiber
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese adds protein and calcium
• 2 tablespoons soy nuts adds fiber and calcium
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds adds protein and fiber
• 1 /2 cup dry unsweetened cereal adds iron and B vitamins
• 10 pretzel sticks adds B vitamins

Popcorn...A Nutrient Packed Snack

Nutrition experts give popcorn high marks for its poppin' good benefits.

• Popcorn is an excellent source of fiber, which increases the feeling of being full and helps to steady blood sugar levels.
• The fiber in popcorn, in conjunction with a low-fat eating plan, may help lower fat and cholesterol.
• Popcorn helps aid in weight control as part of a healthy, low-fat, balanced eating plan. Popcorn can be incorporated as a satisfying low-fat snack, reducing your cravings for other high-fat, high-calorie snacks.

Easy Ways to Include More Whole Grains in Your Diet

• Pop up a mini-bag of Jolly Time Healthy Pop 94 percent fat-free Microwave Pop Corn as a snack or accompaniment to lunch.
• Replace up to half of the white flour with whole wheat flour in recipes for cookies and breads.
• Try a hot or cold whole grain side dish made with brown or wild rice, kasha or bulgar.
• Choose whole grain breads, tortillas, bagels, pita pockets and rolls.
• Try rolled oats or crushed whole grain cereal as breading for meats, poultry and fish.
• Use whole grain bread or cracker crumbs in meat loaf.
• Snack on ready-to-eat, whole grain cereals such as toasted oat cereal.

Popcorn Machine Reviews - Whirley Pop 6-Quart Stove Top and the Stainles Steel 6-Quart Stove Top

First, let’s look at the Whirley Pop 6-Quart Hand-Cranked Stove Top Popcorn Popper which retails at around $22-25 dollars. I kept this pricing in mind in providing this review. When a popcorn machine is this cheap, you have to limit your expectations and your criticism and only pull the product up if it has clear faults -- which in my view this one does.

First, the plus points. The Whirley Pop does produce popcorn that tastes just like granma used to make. For this reason alone, this product will do its bit to ensure the continuing popularity of stove top popcorn machines in the face of competition from modern electric popcorn machines. The Whirley Pop works extremely quickly, producing 6 quarts of popcorn in 3 minutes. This is staggeringly fast popcorn production.

So what is wrong with this machine? Well, I think the problem stems from the fact that in order to keep the price down, too many corners have been cut on design and materials. The bottom of the pan is very thin and the aluminum showed some warping after reheating and cooling. The stirring mechanism on the top did not run smoothly. I did a bit of internet research and I found a number of reviews that pulled the product up on this point. Some reviewers reported that the stirring mechanism seized up once in a while, and others said it packed up all together. You’ll also find that even if you do use the stirring mechanism as instructed, you still have to time it just right to pop most of the kernels without burning any. To be fair, all stove tops are likely to burn the popcorn if you don’t keep an eye on things, which leads many to opt for electric popcorn machines such as the West Bend Stir 82306X Stir Crazy 6-Quart Popcorn Popper, which has automatic cut off after a certain time to guard against burning. However, in my view, you lose out on taste when you move away from the stove tops.

In summary, if traditional tasting popcorn is what you are after then the Whirley Pop will produce it, but I am not sure for how long, since it suffers from poor build quality and materials.

Now we come to the Stainless Steel Stove Top Popcorn Popper, which can be yours for around $35, making it around 40% more expensive than the Whirley Pop 6-Quart. The question is, is it worth it? The short answer is, ‘yes’ and I’ll get right to the long answer in the rest of this article.

As with all 6-quart capacity popcorn machines, the Stainless Steel Stove Top is designed to feed the whole family, which it does in about 4 minutes, making it a little slower than the Whirley Pop 6-Quart, but hey, only by a minute. Being made of stainless steel, with sturdy stay-cool wood handles, this is a popcorn machine designed to last the distance, which is of course reflected in the price. The cranking rod mechanism works smoothly to ensure that all the kernels get popped, but as I have already mentioned, keep an eye on things since all stove tops can burn your popcorn if let them at it for too long and don't crank when you are supposed to (refer to the instructions for precise guidance). The Stainless Steel Stove Top also has a butter drip cup that melts butter evenly onto the popcorn, and the end result tastes wonderful -- just like granma used to make. Both our stove tops deliver on taste, but in contrast with the Whirley Pop, the Stainless Steel Stove Top is a popcorn machine that will go on giving that taste for years and years.

So what about the down sides, surely there must be some? Well yes, there is one. The Stainless Steel Stove Top is not the easiest to clean around the cranking stirrer part of the product. The same can be said for the Whirley Pop. I can see that after a while, oil is going to collect around both cranking mechanisms, and depending on how particular you are about your kitchenware being perfectly clean, this is going to be more or less of a issue. I can live with it, but others may opt for a machine that is easier to clean -- a modern electric popcorn machine like the West Bend Stir -- even if this means losing out a bit on taste.

In summary, if you want the best traditional tasting popcorn, which in my view only a stove top will give you, and you want a machine that is built to last, then go for the Stainless Steel Stove Top Popcorn Popper. It will stay in service far longer than the cheaper Whirley Pop. As my father used to say, ‘buy cheap, buy twice’.

© Stephen Turner 2006.

Stephen Turner has set up an information and resource website called Popcorn Machine On the site you'll find loads of popcorn machine information and advice, articles, features, discussion and specially chosen links to other popcorn machine websites, so please take a look. Stephen would also welcome your feedback on the site: click on the contact link on the site. This article may be reproduced in its original form provided that the author's copyright note and this 'author resource paragraph' are displayed below the article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Turner

Unpopped Popcorn - Why Do Some Popcorn Kernels Not Pop?

Who doesn't love large pieces of yummy, tender popcorn ? That's possibly the best thing you could have with you when watching a good movie at the theaters.

But not all pop corn kernels pop even when heated to the right temperature. Kernels that pop only partially typically have hard centers and you certainly will not relish eating them.

Have you ever wondered ...

What Makes Popcorn Pop ?

Every kernel of popcorn has some moisture and oil. It's outer shell is impervious to moisture and strong. When the kernels are heated to a temperature above the boiling point of water, the moisture inside the kernel becomes superheated steam. Pressurized steam.

The steam inside the kernel has nowhere to go as the hull is moisture proof. Under such conditions, the starch in the kernel gelatinizes. It becomes pliable and soft.

On continued heating, the pressure and temperature inside the hull further increase and the hull ruptures. When the hull ruptures, the pressure in the kernel drops. The steam expands rapidly, and the starch and the proteins expand into airy foam.

The foam cools fast, and the starch and proteins become the crispy piece of popcorn that so many people have come to relish.

If this is how popcorn pops, then how come ...

Popcorn Doesn't Always Pop?

For kernels to pop, they have to be heated at an optimal rate. Heat the kernels too fast and the hull ruptures before the starch in the kernel's center can fully gelatinize. This will cause partially popped kernels.

On the other hand, if they are heated too slowly, then the kernels will remain entirely unpopped as the steam can leak out.

Kernels that have too much moisture do not pop well. When you heat freshly harvested popcorn, what you might end up with are chewy pieces.

For the best results, kernels need to have to have the right amount of moisture to create steam, and they have to be heated at the right temperatures. If either of these conditions are not met, popcorn may not pop :-)

Ever wondered Which Brand of Popcorn Pops the Most?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guru_Bhakt

A Little Background on Popcorn Poppers

Popcorn has been around since the mid-1800's. Poppers have been found measuring up to eight feet across to handle large amounts.

Popcorn is always a hit. Popcorn is a delicious and healthy snack that's high in fiber, sugar-free, fat-free (when popped without oil or butter), and low in calories. Now you can pop regular popcorn in your microwave; it's less than half the price of the special microwave type popcorn, and healthier since there are no artificial additives. Popping without oil means you can easily enjoy a fresh, delicious bowl of popped corn.

Popcorn machines make a great decorative addition for your home theater or game room. Enjoy theater style popcorn taste and aroma in your own home. Popcorn is a whole grain nutritious snack for the family. Three cups of popcorn equals one whole grain serving.

Popcorn pops because steam builds up inside the kernel when heated and it actually explodes. Some corn is good for drying and popping, but other varieties are not. Popcorn vending machines can generally be divided into three size categories: small, midsize, and large. Small commercial popcorn poppers range from 4 to 8 ounce kettle sizes, whereas midsize machines range from 12 to 16 ounce kettle sizes, and large machines range anywhere from 20 ounce kettle sizes to 52 ounces and larger.

Microwavable popcorn, for example, changed the industry in the 1980s and it has become a household staple. Variety tins and special flavored gourmet popcorn have also gained popularity, not to mention that it is the top choice of tasty snacks for moviegoers. Microwavable popcorn, for example, changed the industry in the 1980's and it has become a household staple. Variety tins and special flavored gourmet popcorn have also gained popularity, not to mention that it's the top moviegoers snack choice.

Your popper should be cleaned after every use, if you remember. Generally, poppers are stored on the stove tops or on refrigerator tops. Clean water should be available to everyone in the country. Do your part to ensure that water in your area as well as the rest of the country is clean and safe.

http://www.my-popcorn-4u.com/pages/poppers.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Yeager

Seasoned Popcorn

Here are some fun ways to zip-up the flavor of popcorn without adding calories or fat. You will need a hot-air popper to make the popcorn (or you can use a popper that calls for 1-teaspoon of canola oil -- but that adds a fat exchange).

Using 3-cups unseasoned popped corn, one carbohydrate (1 bread/starch) exchange, you can make these treats:

Asian Popcorn
Preheat oven to 250-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Mix together 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 2-teaspoons fresh lemon juice, 1-teaspoon five-spice powder, 1/4-teaspoon ground coriander, and 1/4-teaspoon garlic powder. Drizzle over popcorn. Toss to coat evenly. Bake ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.

Italian Popcorn
Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Mix together 1-teaspoon crushed dried Italian herbs, 1/8-teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1 teaspoon grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over popcorn and lightly coat again with cooking spray. Toss. Bake for ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.


Mexican Popcorn
Put the popcorn in a large bowl and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Combine 1-tablespoon dried Mexican spiced salad dressing mix with 1/4-teaspoon crushed dried oregano, 1/4-teaspoon crushed dried thyme, and 1/4-teaspoon garlic powder. Sprinkle over popcorn. Toss to evenly coat. Lightly coat with additional cooking spray. Toss again and serve.

Orange Popcorn
Put the popcorn in a large bowl and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Sprinkle with 2-1/2-tablespoons orange-flavored powdered drink mix (already sweetened with sugar substitute) and 1/2-teaspoon dried orange peel. Toss and coat again with cooking spray. Toss and serve.

Spicy and Sweet Popcorn
Preheat oven to 300-degrees. Spread popcorn on a nonstick cookie sheet and lightly coat with refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray. Combine 2-1/2 tablespoons spoonable sugar substitute, 1/4-teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/8-teaspoon ground nutmeg and 1/4-teaspoon dried orange peel. Sprinkle over the popcorn and toss. Lightly coat again with cooking spray and toss. Bake for ten minutes, tossing once. Serve warm.

Popcorn Fund Raising for Fun and Profit

Baseball's a wonderful sport, and Little League is a great way to get kids involved in it. However, like everything, Little League costs money, from uniforms to travel costs, if you're lucky enough to get on a travel team. A fund-raiser is a great way to raise money, and a popcorn fund-raiser could be just the way to go.

Take me out to the ball game...

Why a popcorn fund-raiser? For one, popcorn is easy and relatively inexpensive to make. For another, it's a more healthful snack for kids, so parents won't feel guilty about buying it. You can even sell it in little plastic megaphones with team logos for extra team spirit.

As if that weren't enough, buying a popcorn machine is only an expense for the first year. The machine can then be reused year after year for other fund-raisers, which considerably lessens your expense for future fund-raisers.

If your interest is piqued, here are a few fund-raising tips to get you going.

Getting started

Two of the most important things you need to do before you start anything with a fund-raiser is set a goal and set a deadline. How much money are you trying to raise? Why do you need to raise it? And when do you need it by?

You can use this information to properly plan your fund-raising strategy, and to motivate the kids and other people helping with the fund raising. Remind them that if they sell X amount of popcorn by X date, they'll be able to get new uniforms or pay to go to that tournament an hour away.

Hit the big time

Most people look to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors when they're doing a fund-raising campaign, right? That's all well and good, but open your eyes to the other places you could be selling.

Little League games are great, not only because the people there will be more likely to care about your cause, but also because popcorn is a fantastic snack when you're watching a baseball game. However, that's not the only place you should try to hit.

What are some major retail locations in your area? Do you live near a mall? How about a home improvement store or a grocery store? Or can you get clearance to set up at a bulk retailer like Wal-Mart? These are places where hundreds of people go, especially on weekends and right after pay day. Setting up a fund-raiser at one of these places could help you reach your goals in no time at all. Just make sure you have permission first.

Get your pitch down

Although popcorn is delicious and kids are cute, it is pretty difficult to get people to part with their hard-earned money. Have a loose pitch prepared about who you are, why you're raising money, and what the potential donor is getting by helping you. Make a list of talking points to help out your other "salespeople."

You have to talk a good game to get the money you need, and if you take the time to jot out what needs to be mentioned, your chances of getting a sale get a lot higher.

Put the "fun" back into "fund raising"

With a little planning and a good product, your Little League fund-raiser can be a smashing success. Don't hesitate to start your own popcorn fund-raiser today.

Since opening its virtual doors in 2005, liquidationconnect.com has earned a reputation for providing fun, unique products. Liquidation Connect deals directly with the manufacturers and distributors to deliver the highest quality products at the lowest prices. For more information about fund-raising, or to order your own popcorn machine, visit LiquidationConnect.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darin_Brin

The Popcorn Diet Plan - Would You Like Butter On It?

By Terry Edwards

You just have to love all of these fad diet plans. There have been some real winners come down the line, and the "Popcorn Diet Plan" is yet another example.

We've seen the Cabbage Soup diet plan, Special K diet plan, and we get the Popcorn diet plan. Perhaps they should add a free DVD movie rental with it. Isn't that the mental image you get when you think of this type of diet plan?

So, what does this diet plan include? You know it has to be more than just eating popcorn all day.

The Popcorn diet plan is actually similar to all other diets; you change your eating habits to include more nutritious foods and vegetables, get regular exercise and limit portion sizes. The thing is, that will help you lose weight regardless. That's just sound advice.

Where does the popcorn come in? That is what you have between meals as a snack.

What kind of popcorn can you have? The popcorn diet plan calls for popcorn that has no butter and no salt. In other words, it's not the type of popcorn you will enjoy eating for any length of time.

And therein lays the problem with these specific food diets. Regardless whether it's popcorn, Special K cereal, cabbage soup, etc. The all become hard to swallow in a quick amount of time. Eating these foods morning, noon, and night will drive you nuts after a few days.

The biggest question you should ask yourself with any diet plan is; is this diet a long term solution? Will I want to be on it a month from now? I'm sorry to say, but the Popcorn diet plan is not a long term weight loss solution. Although it's great for a movie night at the house.

By the way, you can learn more about How To Lose Weight as well as see the results from the plan I've been on and much more information on weight loss on my blog at http://www.FatLoss4IdiotsReview.net

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Edwards

What’s Missing in Your Home Theatre? A Popcorn Machine!

You've been dreaming about a nice Home Theater for a long time. A place to finally watch all of the movies you want, at your convenience, and in the comfort of your own home. Of course you just dropped several thousand dollars on a new HDTV digital projector, another $500 on a screen, and what you spent on the sound system could have put an addition onto the house. With that kind of spending you would expect everything to be just right, but theres something missing.

Why, after coming so close to perfection in your movie experience, would you settle for plain microwave popcorn? Would you use your new setup to watch Jaws without the shark? What about Lord of the Rings without the ring? There are just some parts of the movie expeience that one simply cannot do without.

The popcorn prepared fresh from your own popcorn machine is all you need to complete your setup. is it just another gimmick by those fat cat theatre owners to pinch another penny out of the movie viewers pocket? Certainly not. Unlike other improvements in some of the products you might have found at the concession stand, there is actual noticeable difference in what you will be eating.

All seeds are categorized by size, shape (mushroom and the butterfly), and color, but the real trick to making the best popcorn comes in preparation. The microwave variety obviously wins a matchup in speed over actual popcorn machine, but what is the trade off? What you are losing in flavor may not be worth the extra couple of minutes you save in your movie night. Whats the rush anyway? If its a rental theres bound to be 20 or 30 minutes of previews anyway.

Naturally high in fiber, low in calories, free of fat, sugar, and sodium, popcorn is a healthy and enjoyable treat. However, microwaveable popcorn may contain plenty of additional seasonings and preservatives. Having your own kettle, you have control over your own popcorn and exactly what is going into the popcorn machines.

So dont waste another minute watching a preview for the latest blockbuster. Instead, skip it and prepare yourself a batch of the finest, freshest homemade popcorn you can find in your very own popcorn machine, and be sure to get it from CONCESSIONOBSESSION.

ENJOY.

Pop, Popper Your Popcorn Maker

By: David H. Urmann

Popcorn maker that is also called popcorn machine is a device used to pop popcorn. It was usually found in movie theaters, amusement parks and carnivals.

During early years there were no popcorn makers, Indians made popcorn by heating sand in a pan and then they put the kernels on the heated sand. Many years later, Charles Creators was the first person to invent the mobile popcorn machine, which is also known as the popcorn maker cart in 1893 in Chicago, Illinois. This machine made it easy for the people to sell the popcorn on the streets and on the amusements parks, which spurred the popularity of popcorn.

The first popcorn maker was steam driven which The Food Service Equipment Division patented in 1885. It allowed the popcorn to be popped in oil, and then later, they had a gas powered popcorn vendors. People began selling popcorn using this machine on the streets, in front of the amusement parks, stores and theaters to attract people to buy popcorn. Percy Spencer from the Raytheon Manufacturing found a way to mass-produce magnetrons to produce microwaves and with this technology, it gave Spencer the idea to make a microwave oven and he used kernels for his experiments. In 1940’s, it allowed the people to make popcorn in their own homes using the microwave; you can enjoy eating popcorn even if you are not on the amusement parks or in cinemas. The Food Processing System divisions grant the exclusive right to market the hot air fluidized bed oven to produce high amounts of popcorn that in 1967.

Today, people are buying old-fashioned popcorn makers to cook delicious popcorn in social events or for one’s own pleasure at the comfort of one’s home. People want to purchase popcorn maker because they may need to make more than cooking a few bags of microwave popcorn. Owning a popcorn machine would be fun for a family and friends to spend some quality time together while watching your favorite programs on TV or movies. Popcorn makers have different types and brands but today, most popcorn makers were run by gas or electricity. Most people usually buy red popcorn machine because it gives out an old fashioned and traditional look to the first ones that were made in the late 1890’s and 1900’s. Popcorn makers have different range of prices depending on the amount of popcorn the machine can produce and if they have cart. There are two types of popcorn makers available for home use, hot air poppers that allow you to make fat and salt free popcorn that is the healthiest way of making popcorn and oil poppers that uses heated oil to cook the popcorn.

You can also check it out your hand at the stovetop popper; this is the long-standing method of popping corn that is still used today and also the most complicated to use because most of the time it might overcook the popcorn you are cooking. There are other models that use electricity and sit on the counter top, which allow you to control the amount of toppings that go into a batch of popcorn, just as you can with an air popper. The popcorn and popcorn makers have become popular that there is a museum of popcorn. This museum is called Wyandot Popcorn Museum, which has many refurbished antique popcorn machines that was invented in the late 1890’s and 1900’s. The Wyandot Popcorn Museum is situated in Marion, Ohio, which unwrapped to the public in September of 1982. W. Hoover Brown and the only popcorn museum in the world founded the museum.

Grow Your Own Popcorn!

By A.l. Castle

Growing your own popcorn is very easy. It does take some soil, site preparation and a little planning. You can use almost any container that will hold soil. Old buckets, planters, or a barrel cut in half. Even bales of hay can be turned into a planter. Simply lay out a square to the size that you want and fill it full of your potting soil. This not only makes a productive planter, but it is unique and decorative as well.

You need to start out by finding a good source for popcorn seeds. Most home improvement stores, discount stores and hardware stores carry a variety of different seeds. Farm stores can be one of the best places for bulk seeds. You can order from one of the many seed suppliers on line also. I look for a good quality seed that produces well. Popcorn seeds come in many different colors and styles. You have your choice of just about any color you would like, as well as the different styles of corn such as mushroom or snowflake.

Once you have your seeds ordered, you need to start on soil preparation. All types of corn are heavy feeders. You need a good potting soil or some compost. I like to use both and mix it half and half . I also add a good 6-6-6 fertilizer in the soil mix. You can incorporate some leaves, grass clippings, horse or cow manure.

Find a nice spot that receives the most sunlight. This is a good place to start your garden. You can direct sow right into the ground or use your containers in that spot. Plant your seeds when the soil temperature is above 65 degrees or your seeds may not germinate. Plant the seeds about 8-10 inches apart. If you are using containers you want them that close so they will pollinate better. If they are planted too far apart, the pollen may not be able to pollinate the cobs very well.

After planting the seeds I like to cover them with a layer of rotten leaves or hay to keep the moisture in. Keep an eye on the moisture level of the soil. It should just be damp, but not full of water. Make sure any containers you use have sufficient holes in the bottom to allow for good drainage.

In a week to 10 days you will see the plants starting to sprout. Keep the moisture level as constant as you can. When the plants are 6-8 inches tall you can plant some beans next to them. This will allow the corn to use the nitrogen the beans put into the soil and the beans will grow up the stalks. This is a good way to use companion planting. It also lets you get more crop out of the same planting space.

When the corn starts reaching it maturity, it will send out tassels. These tassels are used to pollinate the cobs. It should take approximately 2 1/2 to 3 months depending on the variety of corn you are growing. You want to let the cobs remain on the stalk till the moisture levels drop. Let nature do it's job and when the stalks start to dry out it's time to check on the corn kernels. The easiest way to test them is by taking a few random kernels and seeing how long it takes them to pop.When the correct moisture level is achieved, the kernels will pop in a few minutes of being dropped into hot oil.

When you get to that level you need to pull all of the cobs from their stalks.Pick any beans as they ripen for another special treat. Now you need to remove the dried kernels from the cob. There are a couple of tools made for this, but I like to take a cob in my hands a twist back and forth until the kernels fall off. It's a good idea to have a large bowl underneath to catch the falling kernels. Pack the kernels into seal able plastic bags or into clean jars for storage. Keep them in a cool dark place until you use them.

When you are ready, fire up your favorite popcorn popper and enjoy a big bowl of home grown popcorn.

For more great gourmet popcorn, gift tins, recipes and popcorn items. Please visit our web site at http://gourmetpopcornplus Check out our blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A.l._Castle

Popcorn Facts

Elizabeth Morgan

Unbuttered popcorn is considered to be a good, low-calorie snack. However, unbuttered popcorn can be quite tasteless. There are many ways to make unbuttered popcorn a tastier snack. A dash of brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic and onion salt, iced tea mix, peanuts and raisins can add to the flavor.

Popcorn satisfies the craving that people have for snacks. Popcorn is a type of flint corn. The kernels of this corn have a hard outer shell and are starchy inside. Dry-roasting these kernels in a specific way makes them pop up. Kernels are normally dried to a moisture level of approximately 13.5 %, which is the most favorable moisture level for popping this corn.

According to many historians, corn first came from Mexico. The oldest ears of corn were found in the Bat Caves in western central Mexico. Popcorn is a snack that is basically more then 5,000 years old and is still very popular among many people. The most astonishing fact relating to corn is that it was introduced to Europeans by the American Indian tribes. The English colonist first came to know about popcorn at the initial Thanksgiving feast.

Popcorn contains a high level of carbohydrates and fat, if people consume buttered popcorn or pop the corn the traditional way by using oil. It is a fact that each popcorn kernel contains a little amount of water inside a circle of starch, which is encircled by the hard outer surface of the kernel. Upon heating, this water usually expands and, with corresponding pressure building against the starch, it then pushes through the hard surface, making the corn burst open. With this, the soft starch inside of the kernel inflates and bursts turning the core inside out. There are many online sites available that offer facts on popcorn. People can learn a lot about popcorn and interesting ways to add to its taste.

Popcorn provides detailed information on Popcorn, Popped Popcorn, Popcorn Machines, Popcorn Factories and more. Popcorn is affiliated with How Many Carbs In Pizza.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Morgan

How Gourmet Popcorn Can Add Big Theater Ambience To Your Home Theater Experience

By Gregg Hall

Real movie experiences require full sensory stimulation, from the surround sound booming in the viewer's ears to the tantalizing smell of hot, buttered popcorn. In order to truly enjoy a home theater system, a viewer really needs a bagful of that salted, white, crunchy treat.

Thankfully the 21st century no longer requires a person to hand crank his popcorn over a hot stove. Instead a seemingly flat bag in a microwave can magically transform into what we need with just the punch of a button. Microwave popcorn companies have even found a way to truly meet the movie connoisseur's needs with butter-soaked "movie style popcorn." Unfortunately, the average 5-cup bag of movie popcorn has 15 grams of fat and over 200 calories.

Fortunately the health-conscious popcorn engineers put their brains to work as well, creating lighter versions of butter-flavored popcorn that average 5 grams of fat and 125 calories for the same 5-cup portion.

We also have the incredible option of flavored popcorn beyond the typical buttered style. For example, Kettle Corn offers a sweet and salty popcorn variation. Unfortunately, these too range high in calories and fat. Caramel, cinnamon butter, and honey butter popcorn are also viable options for a sweetened form of our favorite treat. A person could even doctor his own light popcorn with cinnamon, sugar, or even M&M's to satisfy his sweet tooth.

Cheese lovers even have their own variety of popcorn, with cheddar flavored popcorn like Orville Redenbacher's "Pour Over Cheddar" popcorn, which allowed the hungry movie watcher to add real cheese toping to his bowl and cover every kernel with a cheddar cheese taste.

For some people, microwave popcorn just doesn't cut it, and they want the real thing. Retailers are listening to those kinds of please and have thus developed movie popcorn machines in a variety of styles and sizes. The smallest of these models requires just tabletop space and produces enough popcorn to fill four one-ounce bags. Smaller machines range from $250 to $350 while the larger machines can reach up to $1200.

Those with limited counter space will want to consider a popcorn machine with a cart. This increases their total by $100 to $200 but saves room in the home theater room.

Companies that sell movie style popcorn machines many times sell the necessary accessories, such as popcorn portion packs that make popping popcorn easy.

To reach just a little farther into the movie-watcher's dream, you can also purchase the authentic popcorn bags, boxes, and buckets seen at theaters. Kettle cleaning kits will help keep your machine in top working condition as well.

Finally, the popcorn and movie expert will also want to consider the various seasonings available, from barbeque to jalapeno.

Regardless of where you watch your movie, popcorn will always add that extra zing to make the movie-watching experience special.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Popcorn Gifts at http://www.gourmetpopcorngifts.com

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Interesting Popcorn History

By Joseph Then

Popcorn is one of the most beloved snack foods in the world. People have been eating popcorn for centuries. It is a low fat, relatively inexpensive treat that can be enjoyed year round. Many people do not realize popcorn has such an interesting history.

Popcorn was invented by Native Americans in Mexico. The oldest ears of popcorn were found by archeologists in New Mexico. These ears were found to be around 2,000 years old.

Popcorn spread to India and China before eventually ending up in North American where it was brought by European explorers. It caught on quick with the colonists in North America.

The colonists loved popcorn so much that they actually ate it for breakfast with cream and sugar. It is thought it was the first type of cereal.

Native Americans popped popcorn by throwing it on a stone in the fire. Eventually, they began popping it in clay and stone pots, which is how many tribes still pop it today. Popcorn is popped today in a variety of containers from popcorn machines to a pot on the stove to bags in the microwave.

The microwave oven was actually invented due to scientists trying to pop popcorn using microwaves. Today popping popcorn is one of the top uses for a microwave. It is such a common action that the majority of microwaves come with a popcorn button allowing for easy one touch popping.

During the Great Depression and World War II, popcorn was a popular snack food. This was due to the rationing of other snack foods and the availability and low cost of popcorn. The invention of the television slowed popcorn sales as more people were staying home and not going to the theater which at that time served as the major selling point for popcorn.

In 1885 Charles Cretors invented the first popcorn machine. As the steam engine became introduced, mobile popcorn machines were soon seen on street corners in towns across the United States.

Popcorn is a treasured treat. People all over the world enjoy eating popcorn. There are a variety of flavors and types of popcorn, ranging from the sweet to the savory. People add flavors such as caramel, cayenne and the traditional butter.

Popcorn is a tasty and interesting snack food. It is predominantly produced in the United States, specifically the mid western states. However, it is sold around the world.

Love popcorn! A great snack at all times! Learn more about popcorn at http://www.popcorn-machines-supplies.com for more information on Popcorn Machines and Popcorn Machine Parts

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Then

Popcorn Gift Basket & Where To Find One

By Mikee Dunn

Popcorn can be a delicious and wonderful snack to eat when you are watching a movie in a theatre, when watching a sporting event at home, or just because you have friends over at the time. You probably didn’t know that popcorn could be a great gift to give loved ones, did you? In fact, a popcorn gift basket can be not only one of the best gifts, but also one of the most sensible for anyone who loves to eat those yummy kernels. Here are some things you should know when buying a popcorn gift basket for anyone:

A good popcorn gift basket will usually come with various forms of popcorn. If someone wanted just one type of popcorn, then they would just go to the grocery store and buy themselves a twelve pound bag of unsalted popcorn. Instead you should aim to jazz things up a bit by giving them popcorn in flavors that they have probably never had before. Cheddar, kettle corn, caramel, walnut, BBQ and pecan are some flavors that you can chose from. Sometimes, companies will offer a multi pack that comes with a special price if you buy a lot of varieties together.

There are some precautions to take into consideration when buying someone a popcorn gift basket. First of all, children under four years of age should not be given popcorn to eat, as it is considered a choking hazard. Even if the person you give the gift to is an adult you may want to think twice before bringing popcorn into a household with children, as they can be curious and start trying some of the sweeter flavors while putting themselves in danger. Another thing to watch out for is allergies. Sure, it may be creative to get someone an almond flavored popcorn gift basket, but what good is it if they can’t even eat it? The same goes for diabetics. Don’t buy diabetics the sugar coated flavors of popcorn.
As you can see, a popcorn gift basket can be a wonderful gift to give a friend or loved one for any occasion, even if you were just thinking of them. Please take these things in consideration every time you decide to buy a popcorn gift basket. You would not believe what kind of reaction you will get from someone who is flattered that you bought them popcorn just because you love them or care for them.

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