Popcorn

Popped corn kernels where introduced at the start of the 16^th century. Used in Aztec ceremonies, Bernardino of Sahagun wrote that women danced a corn dance with popcorn garlands. In 1419 Hernan Cortés first came into contact with popcorn when he arrived in Mexico and he met the Aztecs who used popcorn as an ornament as well as a primary source of food. They even erected a monument for Tlaloc, their god of corn, rain and fertility.

In recent history, during the Great Depression in the United States, corn consumption, which was highly valued, sky-rocketed and more so during the second world war since sugar production was destined for the troops. Children had to find an alternative to sweets and discovered popcorn. Since the 1950’s, popcorn has been the snack of choice in cinemas, and was prepared at home in microwaves, microwaveable popcorn appeared in the US around 1940.