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What is popcorn made of

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 whole grain, why we will tell in more detail in the technology of popcorn production.

Sugar or syrup and salt are also added to make sweet or salty popcorn. When you add sugar or syrup from the temperature, it caramelizes and turns out, everyone's favorite, caramel popcorn. Adding salt enhances its flavor.

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

• volcano
• Zeya
• pop-pop
• carousel
• Ping pong

Making popcorn, how is it made from corn?

The secret to popping popcorn is in the structure of the corn. The fact is that the outer layer can withstand from 200 degrees Celsius, and the inner fabric forms pressure already 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 out, which, after breaking the shell, breaks out and cools quickly, taking the form familiar to us.

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
• Saucepan with lid

Heat oil in a saucepan, just enough to cover the bottom. Pour the corn in one layer on the bottom. Salt at this point, 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 periodically shake the pan.
Pour popcorn into a bowl and you're done!

sweet popcorn

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

To do this, take half a glass of sugar, add a little water and stir over a fire 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 the caramel to the popcorn and stir. Ready!

Popcorn in the microwave

There is also microwave cooking. To do this, you will need heat-resistant dishes. The process itself is similar to cooking in a saucepan.

Add oil to the bottom of the dish, butter is better for the microwave.
Pour 1 layer on the bottom of the corn grain, if you want salty then salt, and charge in the microwave at maximum power for 6-7 minutes.

Popcorn benefit and harm

Harm

When cooking popcorn at home, it is difficult to find the harmful qualities of this product, except for a slight violation of 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 points can be identified.

The use of chemical additives such as flavors, colors 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 an increase in calorie content at times.

Also, unscrupulous manufacturers add diacetyl to the oil, which masks the smell of synthetic additives and gives a “sweet” smell. The most dangerous thing about it is that it adversely affects 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, are useful for heart activity.

Like all cereals, corn flakes are loaded with potassium, magnesium, iodine, and zinc.

Video how popcorn is made at the factory

Today I want to introduce you to the recipe popcorn at home. Actually, it's quite easy to do this. The main thing is to stock up on corn for popcorn, and it is sold in any supermarkets and even grandmothers in the market. I will talk about how to cook popcorn in two ways: on the stove and in the microwave. Both options are good, the corn kernels will open completely and not burn if you follow the rules that I will introduce you to in this recipe. I've made classic salted popcorn, but don't stop there. You can turn on your imagination and cook various types of popcorn - it all depends on your taste. So, let's begin.

Ingredients

To make popcorn at home you will need:

corn for popcorn - a handful;

vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l.;

salt - to taste.

Cooking steps

Prepare the necessary set of ingredients.

Pour vegetable oil into a saucepan with a thick bottom (you can also cook in a cauldron or a thick-walled pan) and send to the fire. Warm up the oil well. Add corn in such an amount that it covers the bottom in one layer, otherwise, there is a high probability that the grains will not open. Close the lid tightly immediately. Cook over medium heat, shaking the pan from time to time to mix the grains, but do not open the lid.

After 1-2 minutes, the popcorn will begin to "explode" and you will hear pops. When the sound of popping popcorn stops, you can turn off the fire. Homemade popcorn is ready. Transfer it to a suitable bowl and add salt to taste, mix.

You can also make popcorn at home in the microwave. Pour vegetable oil into a glass dish with a lid and pour in the corn kernels (the grains should lie in one layer).

Cover with a lid and put in the microwave. Cook popcorn at maximum power (I have 800 watts) for about 3-4 minutes. In the cooking process, we also focus on sound. When the popcorn stops exploding, take it out. Popcorn, cooked in the microwave, salt to taste, mix.

It's so easy and simple to make delicious popcorn at home.

Enjoy your meal!

What association comes to mind when you hear the word “cinema”? Most of the time it's popcorn. Indeed, none can do without this dish in combination with sparkling water. You can not only buy popcorn in movie theater bars, but also cook it yourself, because it's quite simple. How to do it and what flavors you can add to popcorn - read all this in this article.

popcorn recipe

What is popcorn? These are corn kernels, blown up from the inside at high temperature, with a variety of additives. To make homemade popcorn, you need a special kind of corn kernels - exploding, ordinary corn is not suitable here. Such grains can be found on the shelves in supermarkets.

You can cook homemade popcorn using a frying pan, a saucepan on the stove, an oven, a slow cooker and a microwave. To improve the taste, you can add to popcorn, granulated sugar, syrups. How to cook this delicacy yourself? Some recipes are described below.

simple popcorn

Ingredients:

• a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• a handful of corn kernels;
• salt, granulated sugar or powdered sugar, depending on your preference.

How to cook:

1. Pour a little oil into a saucepan, deep saucepan, or frying pan and put on a small fire.
2. Heat the vegetable oil, then pour the corn evenly and cover tightly with a lid.
3. At first you will hear rare pops, and after half a minute - a real bombardment. This is popping corn.
4. As soon as the explosions subside, you can remove the container from the stove, remove the lid and pour it into a cup.
5. Sprinkle with sugar or salt.

Cherry popcorn in the oven

What you need:

• a sachet of gelatin;
• corn kernels.

How to cook:

1. Pour in the grains, sprinkle with melted butter.
2. Dissolve gelatin in water and sprinkle over corn. Close the lid.
3. Put in an oven heated to 180 degrees for 4-6 minutes.

Popcorn with caramel

Ingredients:

• grains for popcorn;
• half a glass of granulated sugar, you can take brown;
• 30-50 g butter.

How to cook:

1. Cook popcorn in a skillet.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, sprinkle with sugar. Cook until caramelized.
3. Ready syrup caramelize popcorn, watering with a liquid mass and mixing thoroughly. If you add a little cocoa powder to the mixture, then chocolate popcorn will come out.

citrus popcorn

• corn grains;
• oil;
• granulated sugar;
• lemon or orange peel.

How to cook:

1. Dry the zest and mix with sugar, grind in a coffee grinder.
2. Prepare popcorn in any way.
3. Sprinkle sugar zest over cooked grains. The dish will turn out with a citrus aroma and taste, besides it is also colored.

How to make popcorn microwave

The easiest way to make popcorn is in the microwave. There are a couple of options here:

1. Purchased popcorn in any flavor - these can be found in almost any store. It takes 5 minutes to prepare, you just need to pull the bag out of the box, straighten it, put it right side up in the microwave. Turn it on and voila - popcorn is ready. But such a product is not made from anything, all sorts of additives, flavors, flavor enhancers, so it is not very good for the health of the human body.
2. From simple corn grains - here you have to tinker a bit in order to give flavor to the dish, but it is better and healthier than a store-bought product in a box. You can take a deep plate, pour a little oil, although you can do without it. Pour a few grains, mix with oil, cover on top with a lid or other flat plate. Put in the oven, including the right time. 3-5 minutes of explosions and popcorn is ready. And how to sprinkle or water it - decide for yourself. By the way, you can salt the grains before cooking.

How to store

Dry, unpopped corn kernels are best stored in a tightly closed container in the freezer. Leftover popped corn (no oil) can be placed in a zippered plastic bag and stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. If the corn has been treated with oil, keep it in the refrigerator. To reheat popcorn, scatter popcorn on a rimmed baking sheet and place in oven at 160C for 5-10 minutes.

How to Refresh Dried Popcorn Kernels

Some grains dry out and do not burst. Soak them overnight in cold water. Drain and dry thoroughly before use.

What to do so that the popcorn does not get damp

Remove the lid as soon as the corn stops popping to prevent steam from condensing on the lid and dripping back into the pot onto the fresh popcorn.

How to mix with salt

First mix popcorn with melted butter. A wet surface holds salt better and
other seasonings.

How to reduce fat

Place popcorn kernels in a paper bag and drizzle with cooking spray. Seal the bag and microwave on high for 2-4 minutes until the grains pop.

How to Improve the Taste of Microwaved Reduced Fat Popcorn

Brush lightly with vegetable oil (so that the spices stick), then toss with the seasonings. Prepare seasoning mixes as below and stir in 8 cups of popcorn (made from a cup of corn)

popcorn recipes

SIMULTANEOUSLY AND EVENLY HEAT ALL GRAINS TO THE OPENING TEMPERATURE.

1. Use only vegetable oil. The best is coconut. Maybe corn. Worst of all - sunflower. You need a little oil - cover the bottom of the dish with a layer of melted butter. ALWAYS IN A CLOSED POT! EXPLODING GRAINS JUMP LIKE I DON'T KNOW WHAT. Diet popcorn is prepared without oil in a non-stick pan.

2. Preheat the cookware to operating temperature before adding the grain - the grain will open better.

3. To mix the grain during the heating process, you need to shake it up. If this is not done, the grain will open worse, and the finished flakes will burn. The STIR CRAZY home popcorn maker has a stirrer.

4. Do not overload the dishes with grain. If the dishes are overfilled, shaking will not help, because. there will be no free space.
In a four-liter pan - no more than 150 grams of grain.

5. The cooking process ends when the opening pops are no longer heard.

6. Remove unopened grains from the finished product! It's too hard for teeth! To do this, shake the dishes several times. Unopened grains will settle to the bottom. After that, carefully pour the cereal into plates so that the unexploded grains remain in the pot or pan.

Just salty popcorn: powdered salt is poured into a heated dish along with grain. DO NOT use coarse table salt! She won't dissolve. Americans love to flavor with butter. To do this, you need to prepare 35-45 grams of small cream chips from frozen butter, and sprinkle it with still hot popcorn.

Just sweet popcorn vegetable oil should be filled more - 30 grams per 100 grams of grain. Powdered sugar is poured into a heated dish on top of the heated grain. Cook over low heat so that the sugar does not burn too much to the bottom. The melted sugar glazes the finished flakes.

Classic American popcorn is made with coconut oil. After cooking, it is seasoned with additives (usually "cheese" or "bacon") and sprinkled with finely chopped butter. Everything is to taste. By the way, the STIR CRAZY machine provides a simple way to apply butter on popcorn during cooking.

The recipe is simple: buy microwave popcorn. Further - according to the instructions.

Oriental s-a-ads from popcorn

For 30 pieces: 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, 100 g milk chocolate icing, 50 g dark chocolate icing, ½ cup nuts, raisins, and popcorn.

Pour vegetable oil into a large saucepan and sprinkle with corn.
(Remember, 25 grams of popcorn makes about a liter of popcorn!).
Cover with a lid, put on fire and hold the lid tightly. The popcorn is ready when the corn stops popping.
Now let's prepare the glaze: melt two types of glaze in a water bath, mix them, heat over low heat. Add popcorn, raisins and nuts. It's good to mix everything. Then spread the mass with a teaspoon on a kitchen board, and form cakes with the second spoon.

Popcorn balls of Grandma Petrella (American Grandmother)

Components:
1 cup sugar
⅓ cup white corn syrup
⅓ cup water
¼ cup butter or margarine
¾ teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon vanilla
3 liters of ready-made popcorn

Directions:

Prepare popcorn and remove any unopened kernels.
Combine sugar, syrup, water, oil and salt in a saucepan. Stir until sugar dissolves.
Cook over low heat without stirring until the syrup is able to turn into brittle balls in cold water (132°C on a candy thermometer).
Add vanilla and mix lightly so that the vanilla is evenly distributed throughout the volume.
Slowly pour syrup over popcorn and mix well.
Wet your hands lightly and roll the mixture into balls. Do not press hard - just so that the balls stick together.
When the balls have cooled, wrap each in wax paper.
Make about 12 popcorn balls.

BON APPETIT!

How to make delicious popcorn at home

Popcorn itself is not a harmful product, it's just "exploded" corn grains. But the quality of the butter (especially how many times it has been used) and artificial additives are exactly what sets us apart from children eating store-bought popcorn. Much better to treat the kids to homemade popcorn, which is both safer and tastier.

To make popcorn at home, we need corn grains (pay attention to the composition of the product, there should be nothing extraneous in the annotation, only corn) and vegetable oil. Popcorn can be cooked in the microwave or simply on the stovetop in a pot. Practice shows that it is easier to make popcorn in a saucepan, because it is easier to keep track of it so that it does not burn. Sweet or salty, caramel or chocolate, popcorn with lemon flavor - in the article you will find recipes for every taste.

How to make popcorn at home: in the microwave

At the bottom of a plastic container, pour a little vegetable oil and spread the corn. Many grains are not needed, as they will greatly increase in volume. Shake the container so that the grains are covered with an oil film. It is important that the grains lie in one row. We cover the container with corn on top with a cap and send it to the microwave for about a couple of minutes (at full power). At first, intense and frequent pops will be heard, as soon as it becomes quieter, it’s a good idea to check the popcorn (it may burn a little and the taste of the dish will deteriorate).

How to make popcorn at home: on the stove

Pour a little vegetable oil into a saucepan with a tight lid (preferably transparent to see the whole process) and heat it up. To test, throw one grain into the oil, if it opens, then the oil has warmed up enough. Pour the grain, shake and close the lid. We remind you once again, the grain should lie in only one layer! As soon as pops begin to be heard, that is, the corn begins to explode, remove the pan from the heat. The remaining grains will open themselves, because the oil is hot.

How to flavor popcorn at home

Now comes the fun part - giving the popcorn flavor and aroma. Popcorn can be sweet, salty or spicy. Choose the option according to your taste.

salted popcorn

To make salty popcorn, salt the still-hot popcorn with fine salt, preferably sea salt or iodized salt. You can add chopped dried herbs or spices. Some put pepper (black pepper is especially good in combination with nutmeg).

sweet popcorn

Children, of course, prefer sweet popcorn. The easiest way is to sprinkle the still hot popcorn with powdered sugar (you can add a little vanilla sugar or coconut flakes).

You can make popcorn with lemon or orange flavor. To make your own natural citrus flavor, you need to remove the zest from a lemon or orange, dry it and grind it together with sugar in a coffee grinder. It turns out not only fragrant, but also a color additive. Try sprinkling hot popcorn with this mixture, very tasty and beautiful.

To make caramel popcorn, you need to melt a little good butter in a pan, add sugar and cook, stirring, until caramel forms. Then just pour the caramel over the popcorn and you're done. You can add a little cocoa to the caramel, you get chocolate popcorn.

A little-known fact is that January 22 is the birthday of the popular air treat. Popcorn, or its other name - "popcorn" came to us from ancient Mexico, the recipe for this delicacy became so popular with people that people of any age still cook and love it! To cook it means to occupy yourself with an exciting and fun process! This is an absolutely natural, low-calorie and satisfying product. And if popcorn is cooked correctly, then it will be both tasty and healthy for the body!

The benefits of popcorn

In one portion of it there are a lot of useful substances, a similar amount can be in an apple, or a small portion of oatmeal porridge. In order to cook delicious popcorn, it will not be necessary to go to the store at all, you can create this miracle with ease and at home, the cooking process is very easy.

And it is no coincidence that popcorn is a frequenter of screenings in the cinema. Scientists have proven that it contains antioxidants. For those who follow the figure, we simply recommend it, because, firstly, popcorn is very satisfying, and a real grain product, and secondly, it includes a minimum amount of kilocalories! And finally, its main advantage - this popcorn is full of retina!

Harm of popcorn

Strong heating of a special popcorn flavor - diacetyl, can lead to lung diseases. Such cases are annually registered at the factories for its preparation. Therefore, various food authorities recommend reducing its use to a minimum, although experts note that there is still no ban on the use of flavors.

Tip: "For the long-term preservation of grains, it is best to pour them into a tightly closed container and put them in the freezer."

There are several ways to make popcorn

Popcorn in the microwave

Equipment: microwave oven, special glassware with a lid

Ingredients:

• corn seeds,
• use salt or sugar to your liking.

Cooking method: pour 100 grams of seeds on the bottom of the dish, add 30 grams of oil (you can use it at your discretion), add salt or powdered sugar to taste. We close the dishes with a lid as tightly as possible, put in the microwave for about 5 minutes. After that, you should transfer the popcorn to a large deep bowl. Enjoy your meal!

Popcorn in a frying pan

Equipment: gas stove, large frying pan with a lid (preferably airtight). If you do not have a suitable frying pan, you can use a saucepan.

Ingredients:

• corn seeds,
• sunflower oil (you can also use melted butter),
• salt,
• powdered sugar to taste.

Method of preparation: We heat the pan over low heat, add oil, do not forget salt or sugar - depending on your taste, pour corn. Shake the pan occasionally so that our popcorn does not burn. It is not recommended to open the lid while it is cooking, because the corn kernels "shoot", otherwise you may be burned by the seed that has jumped out of the pan, or they may pop out on the floor. Transfer the popcorn to a large deep bowl. Enjoy your meal!

Tip: "To prevent the popcorn from getting soggy, remove the lid as soon as the corn stops popping so that the steam doesn't drip back onto the fresh popcorn."

If you wish, experiments with spices are possible. You can add vanilla, cheese spices to popcorn. To make sweet popcorn, for example, you can make it orange flavored. Making your own natural citrus flavor is easy. To do this, you just need to remove the zest from an orange, dry it, and grind it together with sugar in a coffee grinder. The result is a fragrant and colored additive. It is worth adding such seasoning to hot popcorn! It will turn out very beautiful and tasty!

You can also make caramel popcorn.

This is a more difficult process that requires your concentration and attention. To do this, you need to cook caramel, which should be handled carefully. To prepare caramel, you will need: baking soda (the minimum amount, you may not even use it), half a glass of sugar, butter - about 100 grams, about half a spoon of salt (tea), about 100 ml of water. The proportions of water and sugar are 1/3, therefore, water should be three times less than sugar. We fill the pan with sugar, fill it with water, add salt and butter there. Mix thoroughly and heat to a boil. Sugar is stirred until dissolved. If sugar crystals get into the caramel, it may begin to crystallize and will not be as transparent as we need.

Cooking caramel lasts approximately 10 - 25 minutes. It requires constant stirring, and careful monitoring of color changes. Once the caramel turns brown, it's a sure sign that it's ready. Advice for the future - caramel should not be digested! Take it off the heat, add half a teaspoon to it. soda. It is soda that creates such a sharp reaction, and it is she who will greatly increase the caramel in volume: stir it with a whisk and pour it over the popcorn. Ready!

Don't be afraid to experiment! Delight yourself and your loved ones with such a delicacy!

Tip: "To reduce the amount of fat, you just need to pour the grains into a paper bag, close it tightly and put it in the microwave for a few minutes until all the grains burst."

So, if we take into account the harm of popcorn, then it is rather insignificant. And what's good, if you decide to cook popcorn at home, then your body will not become a victim of the influence of various additives on your body! Everything is natural, healthy and tasty, and how many benefits from it! The main thing is not to overdo it with salt, seasonings and oil, and also follow all the rules of caution if you decide to cook this delicacy.