October — National Popcorn Month

Considering that Americans consume 16 billion quarts of popped popcorn annually it is no wonder there is a National Popcorn Month. Even though popcorn month has been celebrated for more than 25 years, it was not until 1999, Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman proclaimed October as National Popcorn Poppin’ Month. Popcorn harvest takes place each fall in the Midwest so what better time to celebrate popcorn.

Amazingly 70 percent is eaten in the home while the other 30 percent is outside the home (theaters, stadiums, schools, etc.). While popcorn is consumed world-wide, most of the corn is grown and consumed in the United States. The average American eats about 54 quarts each year.

Popcorn has a long history. The oldest ears of popcorn dated at about 4,000 years were discovered in a cave in New Mexico in 1948. Aztec Indian ceremonies included a popcorn dance in which young women wore popcorn garlands.

Popcorn is a great between meal snack low in fat and calories and it satisfies but doesn’t spoil the appetite. Popcorn has no artificial additives or preservatives, and is sugar-free.

Get poppin’ and enjoy October as National Popcorn Month.

Resources:

Popcorn  http://www.popcorn.org/

Popcorn Poppin’ Month  http://www.popcorn.org/AboutUs/PopcornPoppinMonth/tabid/72/Default.aspx

Popcorn Trivia  http://www.popcorn.org/EncyclopediaPopcornica/Trivia/tabid/69/Default.aspx

What Makes Popcorn Pop?  http://www.popcorn.org/EncyclopediaPopcornica/WelcometoPopcornica/WhatMakesPopcornPop/tabid/105/Default.aspx

Photo courtesy of Popcorn Board. This link will also take you to a list of unique recipes using popcorn.